Legg a Welly shoe in
Whitby resident Simon Legg has been nominated as a finalist for Wellingtonian of the Year for his service to the community.
Through North Porirua Care Trust, and in conjunction with North Porirua Baptist Church, Mr Legg has spearheaded the Shoes in Schools project which has been providing new shoes to children at decile 1 primary schools in eastern Porirua.
Mr Legg was moved by the state of the footwear some of the children were wearing and was prompted to make a difference. Through fundraising, he and the North Porirua Care Trust have raised sufficient money to provide New Balance shoes for children at six Porirua schools to date – a total of 960 pairs of shoes.
In March, after providing 130 Russell School kids with new sneakers, Mr Legg told KapiMana News the idea behind the project was providing kids with proper shoes would cut down on the number of flus and colds, ultimately reducing the burden on the health system.
‘‘ You can’t beat seeing the smiles on their faces as they open those boxes,’’ he said.
Mr Legg is a trustee of North Porirua Care Trust.
Its objective is to respond out of Christian compassion to the needs of individuals and families in Porirua and beyond.
North Porirua Care Trust provides counselling and social work services to those in need.
Mr Legg is one of 25 finalists up for a Welly. Winners will be announced at a function at the Amora Hotel on November 22.