“I was encouraged by [long time volunteer and former local coordinator of Daffodil Day] Mary McLaren to sign on,” the 59-year-old said.

“I assisted Mary by driving her about to make her deliveries at first. Then I became a team leader in 2011 at the Lake Innes site.”

Mr Scarlett said he has aunties and uncles, grandparents and a cousin who all have died from various forms of cancer.

He works at New IDAFE, which was established in 1997 to provide programs to adults with a disability.

It is a non profit, non government charitable organisation with programs designed by for each client.

“It’s very encouraging to see some of our clients now helping on Daffodil Day.”

“They have raised about $300 each year for the past three years helping at sites, taking flowers and pens back to our staff in Hastings River Drive and to Home Zone.”

Mr Scarlett said on of the good parts about the Lake Innes Village site is it’s protected from the elements and Coles supermarket staff are very supportive.

“It’s surprising how many people just stop and want to buy [merchandise].

“So many people are affected and they say thank you for doing this, or tell me their story about their brush with cancer.”

Mr Scarlett said a donation of just $5 gives a newly diagnosed cancer patient support and $100 can assist in the development of ground-breaking research.

There are eight sites in Port Macquarie - Coles Lake Innes Village, Hayward Street, Lighthouse; Spotlight; Commonwealth Bank; Port Central and Settlement City shopping centres; Australia Post.

Merchandise available includes the following: Pens $6, fitness Dougal bears $10, fridge magnet $4, metal key rings $7, Sun Smart bear $30, foam footballs $7, pins from $5 to $10, fresh daffodils $7 a bunch.