Pride of NZ: A friend for those in need

Marion Weston helps new settlers and the elderly. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Marion Weston - Community Spirit

When Marion Weston learnt her friend had helped walk an unwell elderly woman home from the supermarket one day, she felt moved to become involved with aged care.

In the two years since, Mrs Weston and that same friend, Chizelle Halberg, continue to regularly offer their time to a selection of Auckland rest homes through baking cakes, organising small concerts and painting fingernails.

"It doesn't matter that they are that age, they like to be well-groomed, look good and their hands to look nice, "Mrs Weston said.

"They love it. It's interesting speaking to them and listening to their stories," she added.

"They're lonely and it's nice that somebody can just go and do something like that for them."

Alongside Mrs Weston's many other contributions to her community, her involvement with the rest homes has earned her a nomination for the Pride of NZ Awards, in the Community Spirit category.

Mrs Weston, originally from South Africa, has lived in New Zealand for nearly 13 years.

During that time she has also supported and played host to new immigrants settling in to Auckland life.

"I take them to get coffee, to eat, and encourage them with their English.

"There are people from Colombia, India and Russia - I just help them where I can and encourage them because it's not always easy being here on your own. It can be quite lonely.

"It's something I do because I care." There are many rewards which come from her work, Mrs Weston said.

Recently, she was able to celebrate a PhD awarded to a man she had housed and supported for 10 months. He came to New Zealand from India to study and four-and-a-half years later, the two remain in touch.

"You're there for the journey ... with them to the end of the road. I helped him read through his thesis, which was a challenge.

"It's great to see them achieve and carry on." Between hosting people for anywhere between 10 weeks to 10 months, travelling to rest homes and working fulltime, challenges around time and finances can arise for Mrs Weston.

"It's quite a cost - 20 ladies who want their nails done - so you need to work with other members." Mrs Weston said she would "love to go to more homes" but struggles to do it alone or just as a pair.

There have been donations of soap from a soap factory and face-cloths from friends, but she hopes others will offer support in some way.

Mrs Weston often resists talking about the work she carries out in the community and was "a little bit embarrassed" to be nominated but flattered nonetheless.

Helping others is "who we are and who I am".

The Pride of New Zealand Awards are proudly brought to you by The New Zealand Herald, The Hits and TSB Bank.
Nominations for the 2015 awards have now closed.
To see more stories of our wonderful nominees click here.
For more information on the awards go to the official website.