# Coronavirus hits charity collections

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/03/12/coronavirus-hits-charity-collections/
- Published: 2020-03-12T17:58:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Irish Cancer Society (ICS) has taken the decision to cancel all Daffodil Day
street collections and events that were scheduled for Friday 27 March as a result
of the coronavirus.**

The ICS collection is one of the charity’s biggest fundraising events of the year,
raising around €3 million each year and involving thousands of people selling daffodils
on streets throughout Ireland. The charity is asking people to donate to the appeal
online. ICS had an income of €22.3 million in 2018.

The ICS cancellation follows the decision of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to cancel
its street collections which were due to happen this week because of coronavirus.

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“In the interests of public health and safety, Make-A-Wish Ireland has reluctantly
made the decision to cancel on street collections, which were due to take place 
around the country, this Friday, March 13th,” a Make-A-Wish Foundation statement
said.

“However, we are proceeding with a ‘Virtual Wish Day’ this Friday, where we are 
asking the public to donate through the [Make-A-Wish website](http://www.makeawish.ie),’
the statement added.

Susan O’Dwyer, Chief Executive said: “As we receive no government funding, we rely
entirely on the generosity of the general public. Wish Day is our first large fundraising
campaign of the year and the decision taken to cancel on street collections has 
not been taken lightly. However, we have a duty of care not only to our wish families,
who are so vulnerable, but also to our volunteers and the general public”.

Ms O’Dwyer thanked their 650 volunteers who had committed to fundraising on the 
streets and shopping centres. In 2018 the collection day raised €100,000. Total 
charity income in 2018 was €2.1 million.