After a night of rain and wind, there were a few nervous glances at the sky on Sunday morning as we wondered whether the Nelson Vintage Car Club Daffodil Rally for Cancer Show & Shine would go ahead.
But this is Nelson – and somehow, the sun came out.
Held at Nelson Speedway on Sunday 23 August, the event brought together a fantastic line-up of classic, vintage and quirky vehicles, with cars continuing to roll in throughout the day.
There was plenty to admire, from beautifully restored classics to vehicles with plenty of character. The food, coffee and live entertainment added to the atmosphere and made it a great day out for car enthusiasts and families alike.
And while the cars were the star of the show, the day was also about raising funds for people impacted by cancer and their whānau across Nelson Tasman.
We’re pleased to share that more than $12,000 has been raised so far, with some funds still being counted. We’ll share the final figure once everything has been tallied.
Thanks to the dedication of Nelson Vintage Car Club members, the support of MS Ford Nelson, and the wider community, the event continues to drive local funds for local cancer support.
We were also fortunate to have The Moutere Hop run their own Daffodil Rally, which finished at the Show & Shine and made a considerable contribution to this year’s fundraising.
A huge thank you to the Nelson Vintage Car Club and all the club members and volunteers who put so much work into making the day happen. We’re also grateful to our own volunteers, Liam, Suzanna (aka Rosie the Riveter) and Jan, who gave up their Sunday to support us.
Thank you too to everyone who came along, brought a car to display, bought a raffle ticket, stopped for a look, enjoyed the food and entertainment, or made a donation. Your support helps us continue providing free support services to people impacted by cancer and their whānau throughout Nelson Tasman.
Part of a nationwide rally
The Nelson event is part of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand’s Daffodil Rally for Cancer, which takes place in communities around Aotearoa.
What started as a handful of local rallies has grown over the years, bringing together Vintage Car Club members, families and car enthusiasts to raise funds for the Cancer Society.
Since the rally began in 2017, more than $500,000 has been raised for Cancer Society services, including an incredible $140,000 in 2025 alone.
With more than 8,000 Vintage Car Club members and a network of more than 28,000 vehicles, there’s plenty of potential to keep growing the rally and the funds it raises for people impacted by cancer.
We’re proud to have the Nelson Vintage Car Club as part of the rally and grateful for the support they continue to give Cancer Society Nelson Tasman.
Thank you for another great day of beautiful cars, good company and fundraising for our local community.
View photo gallery on our Facebook page of the day here.
Read article here: Daffodil Rally boosts Cancer Society
