Strangers step in after OAP let down

Raewyn Mitchell (left), Nicole Mitchell, Garry Hazleton, Khan (surname withheld) and Yvette Heta had never met before they came together to help an elderly woman. Photo / Alexandra Newlove

An elderly woman who was ripped off by a man she hired to do odd jobs is overwhelmed by a group of strangers who gave up their Saturday to do the work - and then some - for free.

Jodi Armiger posted on a Whangarei community Facebook page detailing how she paid $200 to a man to do some gardening and water blasting. He did some work, then took the money and never came back to complete the jobs.

Her plight captured the attention of Tikipunga woman Nicole Mitchell, who sprang into action by organising a working bee at Ms Armiger's house.

On Saturday, five strangers braved the rain in an attempt to restore the 75-year-old's faith in people by weeding, planting and water blasting. Ms Mitchell had hoped more would turn up, but said the rain would have discouraged some. Nonetheless, Ms Armiger was overwhelmed by the strangers' kindness.

"I never ever expected this kind of response," she said. "All I wanted to do was warn people that there are nasty people out there who don't do what they say."

Ms Armiger had back problems which meant a lot of the tasks were difficult for her.

"I have never met such an amazing group of people. Nine out of 10 people would've stopped work as soon as the rain started - this group didn't. I'm absolutely in awe."

Later in the day, Ms Armiger took to Facebook to express her gratitude:

"I am absolutely blown away by all the wonderful people who came today... My garden looks like a show home and the whole place is beautiful."

Ms Mitchell, who had a young family, said it was in her nature to help out wherever she could.

"It's especially good to see this in Tiki... Where it's kind of known for home invasions, burglaries, domestic violence, that kind of thing. This just shows another side," Ms Mitchell said.

Garry Hazleton, who is looking for fulltime work - "you don't ask, you don't get" - said he was happy to give up his day to help. "I just didn't like what happened and I thought, bugger that!" he said.

Another man, Khan, who did not want his surname used, had come all the way from Dargaville to help.

Ms Mitchell had started a Facebook page "Help Me Help You", an informal environment where people could offer up their time or request help if they needed it.