Aunty Bea's voluntary work on health is praised

Aunty Bea.

She is perhaps best known as an author, teacher and entertainer, but now Rotorua's Bea Yates has been recognised for the hours she puts in volunteering for health projects.

Aunty Bea, as she's better known to most, was one of two runners-up in the Community or NGO Health Service Individual Winners section of this year's Minister of Health Volunteer Awards.

Aunty Bea has a long background of community services, which includes raising awareness about health issues.

She said she was "over the moon" about the award.

"I'm just so proud of Rotorua and the community. They are givers here."

The recent awards came as part of a big few weeks for Aunty Bea, who was also involved in the country's first Maori language parade to mark the start of Maori Language Week last week.

Aunty Bea said the award for her voluntary work in the health service recognised the role she played in setting up Te Whakapono Health Trust. She has been a trust member since it was founded in 2004.

The trust has been a driving force in establishing Rotorua's own dialysis unit, raising close to $1 million in less than a year. The trust contributed to the costs of upgrading Rotorua Hospital's chemotherapy suite, provided patients' families with accommodation in the hospital grounds, secured a mobile ear clinic for the city's children and provides assistance for stroke victims.

"Really the award is for Rotorua, without them we wouldn't have had the funds."