A Papamoa man has won the admiration of his neighbours for his helpfulness - and a well-equipped emergency Neighbourhood Support Go Bag for his kindness.
Kevin explores his Go Bag with Neighbourhood Support manager Bruce Banks.
Kevin Low of Ohope Place in Papamoa was nominated by Tracy McNaughton for Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support’s Nominate Your Neighbour competition.
Tracy said Kevin is a great neighbour.
“He keeps an eye on our street when walking his dog, and regularly chats to everyone on the street. He recently updated our street list and organised a very successful barbecue so all the new residents could meet everyone.
“He takes my bins in each week after they have been emptied and will put them out if I’m away. He also keeps an eye on my property and cat if I’m away. Kevin and Colleen are great neighbours.”
Kevin wins a $200 Go Bag for emergencies, and a barbecue with his neighbours when the weather warms up.
Second prize winners are Glenda and Rex Tucker, of Victoria Rd, Mount Maunganui nominated by neighbour Merilynn Crean. They win a $50 New World voucher. Merilynn says the Tuckers are very helpful.
“They clear our mailbox and put out our rubbish if we are away, they will go inside to check something if we are away. We are always getting together for coffee or a meal.
“Rex mows our lawn while we supply the bin, Glenda often brings across baking. Rex keeps an eye out for troublemakers and disturbances in the hood. We have an annual Christmas street party in our shared driveway which we all prepare, deliver invitations and host on the night.
“Rex puts on an enormous Christmas light display each December and continues to add cutout Santas etc for the children to view. As you can see they are wonderful to live next to. We are very lucky!”
Third prize of a $50 New World voucher goes to Pauline Herrington of Contour Ave, Pyes Pa, nominated by Kim Sherlock.
Kim says Pauline welcomes new neighbours and hosts morning teas for them.
“She regularly checks in on all of her other elderly neighbours that are also on their own. She looks after people's homes when they are away, waters plants inside and out and puts out their rubbish.
“She visits neighbours when they have had surgery and takes them meals. During December when two neighbours were selling their homes she welcomed one of the disabled owners to stay in her house while the open homes were going on,” Kim says..
“She takes people to hospital appointments if they can’t get there themselves. She acts as the local Predator Free coordinator for our streets, making up the rat trap boxes and delivering them to all the neighbours.”
Neighbourhood Support General Manager Bruce Banks said the entries from neighbours showed many people are making their neighbourhoods a better place and there were inspiring stories of how streets were coming together.
Entries were judged on whether the nominee had been involved with more than one neighbour, how long they had been supporting their neighbourhood and the amount of effort put in.
“We have some amazing streets full of friendly and helpful neighbours around the Western Bay, ” he said.
With 16,000 members in the Western Bay, Neighbourhood Support intends to run the competition annually around Neighbours Day in March.
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