Bethany Westerberg hosts eighth annual Albany Daffodil Day appeal and sunrise swim for cancer research

For the eighth year in a row, an Albany woman will take to the streets and the ocean to raise money for a cause close to her heart — raising funds for the Cancer Council.

Bethany Westerberg will host her annual Daffodil Day appeal on Thursday with a sunrise dip at Middleton Beach and a street appeal at five stalls across town.

Hosting her first fundraiser in 2017, Ms Westerberg said she was inspired by several important women in her life to take up the charge.

“My nana used to run the Daffodil Day street (appeal) in Albany when it first started more than 25 years ago, and I used to help her so it was natural for me to take over when she stepped down,” she said.

“My mum also passed away in 2017 from cancer and I lost my best friend to it when we were 20.

“My mum used to swim down at the marina every day up until about two to three months before she passed away, so the swim is a remembering thing for her, a tribute to honour her.”

Seemingly inspired by the success of Ms Westerberg’s event, Cancer Council Australia is taking a page out of her book and will host its first sunrise swims as part of the fundraising campaign this year.

Ms Westerberg said she was happy to see the swim become national.

She said the event grew in participation and fundraising each year, with last year’s event drawing more than 40 people to take the plunge at sunrise and raising about $10,500.

“More and more people seem to become aware of what Daffodil Day is each year and want to get involved,” she said.

“Every year I’ve done it, I’ve raised more than the previous year.

“Obviously, I’m happy with whatever we can raise considering the household pressures and the cost of living, but I’m always surprised by people’s generosity.

“Every year I see new faces at the swim and meet people who are swimming to honour someone or who have had cancer themselves and hear their stories.”

The swim will be held at Middleton Beach at 6.30am, with attendees offering a $20 donation to participate, receiving a yellow daffodil swim cap, and a free coffee from Quick Shot Albany to warm up afterwards.

The street appeal runs from 9am-4pm at multiple locations around Albany, including Albany Plaza, North Road Supa IGA, Chester Pass Mall, and the post offices on Sanford Road and York Street.