Gwen Cameron has been delivering Meals on Wheels for more than 35 years. Photo / Natalie Slade
Gwen Cameron has been delivering Meals on Wheels for more than 35 years. Photo / Natalie Slade
To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
She may be older than many of the people she helps, but that doesn't stop 89-year-old Gwen Cameron from delivering Meals on Wheels to those who are unable to get out and help themselves.
Every second Tuesday, she drives from her Mission Bay home in Auckland to Green Lane Hospital,where she collects meals and delivers them to elderly people around the Three Kings area.
She also manages a team of 10 other people who help with the Meals on Wheels programme.
It is a task Mrs Cameron has been quietly doing for more than 35 years and she has no plans to stop - despite nearing the age of 90.
"I can still do it, so why not?" she says. "My girls laugh at me and say, 'Oh mum, some of the recipients are younger than you'."
Besides Meals on Wheels, Mrs Cameron is a treasurer for the Euthanasia Society and involved in the Mission Bay Bowling Club, where she helps with sewing for the trading table.
Last year, she helped to make 50 bassinet covers for a project aimed at preventing cot deaths.
In years gone by, she was an active member of the Akarana Golf Club, the St Andrews Scout committee and the local kindergarten in Epsom.
Her niece and nephew Wendy and Ian Cameron, who nominated herfor the New Zealand Herald's Unsung Community Heroes series, described her as "the most inspiring lady we have known".
"[She] has more energy and get up and go than anyone else we have ever known - an inspiration to all who know her, still driving herself and younger people all around - what a wonderful lady."
During the next two months, the Herald will feature stories about the wonderful work people are doing in their communities.
Five worthy recipients will be rewarded with a P&O cruise to thank them for making a difference in the lives of their fellow New Zealanders.
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.
