Unsung Heroes Winners 2010: Zita Tuffley - There to pick up the pieces

Zita Tuffley says hearing that she had won a cruise for two absolutely made her day. Photo / Dean Purcell

Five people who have given selflessly to their communities are this year's Unsung Heroes.

More than 70 worthy people were nominated in the New Zealand Herald P&O Cruises' Unsung Heroes competition, but five people stood out from the rest for their tireless efforts to better the lives of others. For this, they each win a trip for two on a P&O South Pacific cruise.

Zita Tuffley plans to take a cruise during next year's Rugby World Cup because she has already ticked off that sporting experience once - South Africa 1995.

Ms Tuffley, a Victim Support volunteer, is one of the winners of the

Herald

Unsung Heroes series and wins a cruise for two.

Victim Support co-ordinator Shanta Millikin nominated Ms Tuffley for her 10-year dedication to supporting the victims of crime and trauma.

From 2001, Ms Tuffley was a volunteer with family violence organisation Shine. In 2009, she joined Victim Support, where she was selected as one of a few volunteers to deal with families affected by murders.

The self-employed, 42-year-old Herne Bay woman was at home when she heard the news that she had won the competition.

"I was doing menial things around the house and next minute, bang ... it made my day."

After already experiencing a Rugby World Cup, Ms Tuffley says she is looking forward to taking the cruise around the time of the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

Ms Millikin was also very excited about the news.

"She's a really deserving person and it's nice that it's happened for her."

Ms Tuffley was also involved with cases involving victims of sexual assaults, burglaries, aggravated robberies and kidnapping, but would often go beyond the call of duty.

Ms Millikin says Ms Tuffley would not go away when she had holidays from her usual work but would rather come in and give her time to Victim Support.

The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.

Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.