Trustpower winners named
Palmerston North Search and Rescue has been named the Trustpower community awards supreme winner for Manawatu¯ .
The judges were impressed with the volunteer search and rescue team’s 24-7 availability to respond to emergencies and dedication to training.
Trustpower spokeswoman Alice Boyd said the team was a special group that demonstrated what it meant to be part of a community. ‘‘I’d hazard a guess that most of the volunteers also have full-time employment. Helping out takes up a large portion of their personal time, meaning they’re away from their own friends and wha¯nau while looking out for other people.’’
In the 12 months ending in June, the team was involved with 20 searches, equating to about 1250 hours of volunteer time.
The team also had 12 trainings and other promotional events where they volunteered another 660 hours. ‘‘They do all of this so they can continue to provide search and rescue services to the lost, missing and injured in their communities. They do this in all weather conditions and in environments, ranging from urban areas to back-country and snowcovered ranges.’’
The volunteers received a framed certificate, a trophy and $2000 prize money, and will represent Palmerston North at the 2018 Trustpower National Community Awards in Tauranga next March.
At the same ceremony, Dannevirke Cave Dwellers Inc was named supreme winner for Tararua and Matipo Community Development Charitable Trust will represent Whanganui at the national awards.
Youth community spirit award winners were Fatima Ahmer (Palmerston North), Victoria Evans (Tararua) and Caitlin Gedye (Whanganui).
Community awards also went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manawatu¯ , Kind Hearts Movement, Menzshed Manawatu¯ , Sands Manawatu¯ -Horowhenua, Dannevirke St John Cadets, New Zealand Pacific Studio Inc, Pah¯ıatua Toy Library, Tararua Riding for the Disabled Inc, Age Concern Whanganui, Cancer Society of New Zealand Whanganui-rangit¯ıkei-waimarino Centre, Plastic Bag Free Whanganui and Tawhero School Breakfast Crew.