The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) last night commended people on coming forward to avoid a potential €500,000 fall-off in funds raised because of bad weather.
The rain and wind, which made outdoor conditions very uncomfortable in many places, affected the sales of fresh and silk daffodils and pins on the society's only annual collection day.
Earlier in the day, the society had feared a loss of some €500,000. Last night however, the chief executive John Mc Cormack said that many people had offered €5 instead of the standard €2 or made a donation online or by phone.
While acknowledging that they had "made up a lot of ground" in the afternoon as the weather improved, the society was still anxious last night to reach people who would normally make a donation.
Some of the 6,000 people who had volunteered to collect money on the streets called yesterday to say that they would not be able to stand out in such bad weather because they had been sick. Some collectors said that people rushed past them in the rain, reluctant to stop for even a moment in the bad weather.
The society had aimed to raise at least €3 million on Daffodil Day, but the final tally won't be known until sometime next week. A spokeswoman for the ICS said they had expected to raise 80 per cent of the €3 million from street sales, with the remainder coming in through credit card donations and shop and workplace sales.
All of the money raised on Daffodil Day goes towards funding free nationwide nursing services in hospitals and communities. Some 35 per cent of the funds is used for nursing home care for cancer patients, 20 per cent is spent on night nursing, and 20 per cent on psychological support.
Cancer nurse education receives 15 per cent of the funds and 10 per cent goes to the cancer helpline.In 2004, Daffodil Day raised a record €3.1 million for the charity, and organisers had hoped that they might beat that record this year.
The spokeswoman urged people who could not buy a daffodil yesterday to donate online at www.cancer.ie/donateshop, call 1850-606060 or make a donation at any Bank of Ireland branch. Daffodil Day pins will also be available over the weekend in many shops and supermarkets.
