"Surround yourself with positive people."

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If you want something done, ask a busy person. HEATHER FAGG, Volunteer Area Coordinator for the Cancer Society’s Kapiti Branch epitomises this; her response always a resounding ‘YES’. In her primary role of Fundraiser, Heather is responsible for coordinating Daffodil Day and the Christmas Memory Tree. It is no surprise that she was nominated for the Volunteer Wellington Mahi Aroha Awards category – Volunteer of the Year in 2024. 

Heather said “I’m passionate about flowers and daffodils connected me to the Cancer Society. Working as a Specialist Rheumatology Nurse but looking for retirement options, I volunteered to support the paid Daffodil Day Coordinator. The volunteers I contacted to assist were so enthusiastic and eager to help it made my job easy.”

Heather’s own enthusiasm saw her subsequently spending a day a week in the office ‘meeting and greeting’ by phone and in person and assisting patients with services during their cancer journey as well as completing various administrative tasks. Heather’s friendly, open manner and great interpersonal skills are complemented by excellent organisational skills and a keen interest in fundraising honed by the support she provided to and learning received from her husband, Michael, a great fundraiser for Rotary’s ‘End Polio’ campaign. 

Heather volunteered to coordinate the rosters again the following year and is still doing this eight years later with the area now extending from Waikanae to Paekākāriki. Heather rings and rosters over 200 volunteers for 13 collection sites, organises daffodils, EFTPOS machines, collection buckets, signage, etc and supports numerous organisations who wish to fundraise with equipment, daffodils, and promotional material. 

Heather, blown away by the willingness of volunteers who say “I’ve been waiting for your call,” says “thankfully, I’ve developed a great team of regular volunteers who support me in putting up posters, delivering daffodil boxes, picking daffodils, banking, and any other required jobs.” 

Heather encourages younger people to get involved. Year 13 students from Kapiti colleges organise their own rosters and receive a certificate of acknowledgement. Heather also collaborates with Volunteer Kapiti, local firms, and service organisations to recruit new volunteers. 

As the Cancer Society relies on donations, grants, and fundraising, Heather is always alert for new fundraising opportunities; over 3 years, her team raised $20,000.00 from Christmas gift wrapping towards a new Support Centre that’s provided enhanced nursing, counselling, therapy, and education services. A garden party fundraiser 
facilitated the development of a peaceful garden space for patient use. 

Last year, Kapiti raised 20% more revenue than the previous year, best in the Wellington region. People are so generous, Heather says. Mention Cancer Society and they’re happy to donate. Heather coordinates a raffle and ‘Stall in the Mall’ for Daffodil Day and at Christmas alongside the Memory Tree where red paper hearts are 
purchased in memory of a loved one. Now Heather has a team knitting hearts for people’s trees at home. 

The key to Heather’s success: “Surround yourself with positive people”.