'Angel pair' always ready to help their neighbours

George and Doreen McNickle, 80 and 77 respectively, live in Hillsborough and have been married for 55 years. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Their Hillsborough neighbours call Doreen and George McNickle "the pair of angels" because they are always ready to help, whether it is with a freshly baked cake or a steady hand on a chainsaw.

Says Mr McNickle, aged 80: "We get a great kick out of helping others."

He was born and bred in Onehunga, and she came to Auckland from Norfolk Island at age 2.

He spent the recent fine weather cleaning up a neighbour's back yard which was littered with dead trees.

Using a borrowed chainsaw, he worked quickly - the debris had to be on the street kerb in time for the annual inorganic rubbish collection.

On Saturday, Mrs McNickle shrugged off illness to respond to a call to help feed a wedding party at their local church.

She set to work in her kitchen and soon sent along a big sponge cake, a caramel cake, two banana loaves and an apricot square.

"She is a good baker and she's always baking for people," said Mr McNickle.

A neighbour agrees: "When we lost our parents a few years ago, they were cooking and baking for us."

When another neighbour's burglar alarm sounded in the middle of the night, Mr McNickle hurried over to check on her. She could not deactivate the alarm so gallantly he crawled under the house to follow the wiring to the off switch.

In their neighbourhood of many nationalities, the couple welcome newcomers.

It has brought many delightful moments to them in return.

"We minded a little baby for neighbours because they both worked," recalled Mr McNickle.

"We helped with a girl's homework when her grandfather could not understand the questions."

Mrs McNickle is a valued adviser on gardening matters, having learned about plants while working in seedling nurseries in Onehunga and Mangere.

In their retirement, the couple also cleaned the church after Saturday functions and mowed the lawns.

Their voluntary work is fitted round interests in their family and eight grandchildren.

"Looking after your family and your neighbours ... I think it's the way to go," said Mr McNickle.

"We are always available for anyone who calls on us," said Mrs McNickle.

In return, the couple receive kindness.

Neither drive a car and though they enjoy evening walks, they appreciate offers of a lift when they go out to play bowls or get groceries.

Neighbour Myley Fassisila nominated them for an Unsung Community Hero Award.

She says: "For a couple of their ages, they put us to shame with their enthusiasm and energy to help our community whenever it is needed."

* Nominations for Community Heroes have now closed.