Cancer Society of New Zealand Central Otago co-ordinator Marie Wales said Daffodil Day fundraising at Arrowtown, Frankton and Queenstown raised between $28,000 and $30,000, which was "very impressive".
She paid special tribute to volunteers Jan Robertson, Mary May and Shirley Palmer, who "pulled it all together".
The volunteers were invited to Miranda Spary's home at Lake Hayes on Wednesday afternoon to enjoy an afternoon tea, with food donated by Aspiring Catering, Botswana Butchery, Amisfield, Provisions, Motogrill, Vudu Cafe and Larder, Walnut Cottage, Bonjour and Skyline.
Ms Wales said she would be unable to do her job without the support of the volunteers.
"I get comments like 'everyone in Queenstown is wealthy, so why do you need money?'. They may be asset rich, but cashflow poor.
"The money raised here we can use here to support people in our community. Every dollar we raise is treated with respect - we don't splurge it or spend it on ourselves - we put it towards people in our community."
Ms Wales said having worked for large corporations all over the world, her present job was "the most challenging role I've ever been in, but the most rewarding".
"We are invited into people's homes at the most vulnerable time in their lives.
"It is a privilege ... we meet incredible people - cancer does not discriminate.
"Cancer is scary, yes, and people are facing their own mortality, but so many people [go on to] live fulfilling lives. We ... get out there and say 'where there's life, there's hope'."
While there were about 10 volunteers involved in the Cancer Society in the Central Lakes area at the moment, last year there were between 60 and 80 families in need of support.
"We're quite stretched. Our group needs a little bit of new blood."
•Anyone interesting in volunteering their time or services can contact Ms Wales by emailing marie@cansoc.org.nz or by phoning (03) 442-4281.
