Fundraiser and relay founder bowing out
The woman who brought one of New Zealand’s best-loved community fundraising events to the country is putting down her daffodils and leaving the Cancer Society. Manawatu¯ fundraiser Faye James, instigator of the country’s first Relay For Life in 2001, is calling it quits after 24 years working for the charity. The Manawatu¯ event has raised more than $5 million since then, which has been spent on equipment at the Regional Cancer Treatment Service, on research, education and the society’s anchor support services. James and husband Bob used to own two well-known Palmerston North small businesses, Melody Lane restaurant and the Blue Moon dairy. After they sold the restaurant, she applied for a six-month contract as a community liaison worker to enhance the Cancer Society’s profile. Her role grew into a permanent fundraising one, initially building on the strength of the recently launched national Daffodil Day appeal. James added bears to the range of Daffodil Day merchandise, as well as other Cancer Society products such as sunscreen and makeup. In 1999 she went with former manager Maurice Le Fevre to a World Cancer conference and learnt about the United States’ Relay For Life concept. She later saw how it was done in Melbourne, supported by Manawatu¯ fundraising committee chairman Bill Bly, and began planning a New Zealand first in 2001. James said getting sponsors such as local radio station 2XS, Ezibuy, B and M Electrical, Property Brokers and Tony’s Tyre Service on board made it work. It was their help setting up the pivotal stage setup for the event, and Lions clubs’ help providing people power, that laid the foundations. ‘‘We thought if 40 teams signed up and raised $40,000, that would be well,’’ James said. ‘‘We had 87 teams, who raised $189,000.’’ The event has since spread to 18 communities around New Zealand, and James has been twice recognised for her efforts with awards from the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand. ‘‘But I can’t take credit for the success myself. It’s a fantastic, caring community, and the businesses make us top of New Zealand for sponsorship.’’ Bly said James had become the public face of the Cancer Society locally, with a unique range of connections and the ability to win and maintain their support. James said the magic of Relay For Life was that it was more than a fundraiser. It was a therapeutic community event for people to talk and share their stories of loss and survival. ‘‘Twenty-four years ago, a lot of people did not want to come near us. There was a real fear. Daffodil Day and the Relay For Life have allowed people to talk about cancer, and support each other.’’ James said she was proud to see successful fundraising contributing to research, highquality information, personal support, equipment for the Regional Cancer Treatment Service, extending the reach of field workers, and smokefree and Sunsmart promotions. Her last day is Thursday, after which she is not retiring but looking to live life at a less frenetic pace. The Manawatu¯ centre is advertising for a replacement who will tackle the task of finding a new venue for Relay For Life. The former Hokowhitu campus is unlikely to be available beyond 2019, due to its rezoning for residential use.
‘‘I can’t take credit for the success myself. It’s a fantastic, caring community, and the businesses make us top of New Zealand for sponsorship.’’ Fundraiser Faye James