Stroke volunteer award ‘well-deserved’

stroke help: Tairāwhiti Community Voice chairperson Liz Graham, Stroke Tairāwhiti volunteer Sherryl Moroney, Stroke Tairāwhiti manager Caroline Callow, and Gisborne Alzheimer's Society manager Tracy Robinson. Picture by Paul Rickard

Stroke Tairāwhiti volunteers won this year's Nan Evans Award in a ceremony hosted by Tairāwhiti Community Voice (TCV).

The annual award is named for Nan Evans, the founding member of Tairawhiti Community Voice and an advocate of community development.

After Nan died, her husband Ray started the award to reflect her life as a volunteer,

The award recognises leadership, voluntary involvement, generosity and efforts which help strengthen the community.

This year four volunteers from Stroke Tairawhiti — Caroline Callow, Sherryl Moroney, John Unverricht and Julie Stevenson won the award for their decade-long service.

Tairāwhiti Community Voice administration manager Judy Livingston QSM nominated the winning candidates.

“This group of dedicated people have given hundreds of hours of volunteer support in the last 10 years, assisting in the delivery of the Stroke Rehab programmes in Tairawhiti,” she said.

“Caroline (manager/co-ordinator), even though in a paid role, has gone above and beyond her paid work hours to support clients where necessary.

“She is a great advocate for those in need and has a holistic approach to clients and their families.

“(She does this) by sourcing basic needs for a client to live comfortably — furniture, food parcels, and organising ESOL (English as a second language) classes if required.

“This group of dedicated individuals make a substantial contribution to the rehabilitation support provided to stroke survivors,” Ms Livingston said.

Award presenter at the ceremony was the manager of Gisborne Alzheimer's, Tracy Robinson.

Ms Robinson said she was privileged to present the Nan Evans Award to Caroline and Sherryl from Stroke Tairāwhiti.

“My first husband was very much a recipient of the love, care and support from these two ladies and the other two nominees.

“My husband had a stroke, and I was very dependent on their guidance and love when he passed away. I am very grateful for their services to the community.”

For Caroline Callow and Sherryl Moroney the award came as a bit of a “surprise”.

“It was unexpected for me because it is for volunteers, I do work over my hours but I didn't see it as being a volunteer,” Ms Callow said.

“Other nominees from Stroke Tairāwhiti do most of the work. We wouldn't have a service if it hadn't been for the volunteers. It was a bit of a surprise and it feels nice to be appreciated.

“It was special to receive the award from Tracy.”

Recipient Sherryl Moroney said the award showed appreciation not only for volunteers but also, for Caroline, “the backbone of our organisation”.

“It was an honour to receive it and like Caroline said, it felt good to be recognised in the community for what we do.”

Tairāwhiti Community Voice chairperson Liz Graham said she was “very proud” of the winning group.

“It was well deserved.”

■ Tairāwhiti Community Voice provides network support to local grassroots organisations. Twenty-four groups are represented on TCV. They are Alzheimers Gisborne, Barnardos, Brain Injury Association Gisborne, CCS Disability Action, Citizens' Advice Bureau, Deaf Aotearoa, Epilepsy NZ, Geneva Healthcare, Gisborne/East Coast Multiple Sclerosis, Moni Ora budget advisory service, Gisborne Presbyterian Parish, Gisborne Volunteer Centre, Hospice Tairawhiti, Idea Services, Life Unlimited, Women's Institutes, Stroke Tairawhiti, Sunshine Service, Age Concern, Tairawhiti Environment Centre, TaiTech, Te Kupenga Net Trust, Salvation Army, and Workbridge.