We are excited to announce your three 2020 successful Westfield Local Heroes for Manukau City.

These inspiring local leaders were nominated and voted for by the community and will now be awarded a $10,000 grant for each of their affiliated organisations to help their important work to grow.

Westfield Local Heroes is a community recognition and grants program, connecting and enriching local communities. Launched in 2018, the program spans our 42 trade areas across Australia and New Zealand. In 2020, we are awarding $1.26 million to 126 local organisations.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.

Your three Westfield Manukau City Local Heroes are:

Darryl Vincent Evans

Mangere Budgeting Services Trust
Passionate. Caring. Big-hearted

Darryl Evans makes sure struggling families never go hungry by providing much needed food parcel support from their in-house Food Bank. As CEO of the Mangere Budgeting Services Trust, he runs a food bank that provides 16,000 food parcels and 15,000 grocery packs for families and pensioners. While the food parcels help, Darryl goes the next step to encourage the families to get themselves out of financial strife with the support of a team of Financial Mentors and through education workshops. His team provide budgeting advice, financial planning and can negotiate with creditors. “Without sound budgeting advice, our clients would continue to live in debt, he says but through our supports, they often learn to make smarter choices with their personal income.

__Find out more > __

Paul Robinson

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust
Passionate. Generous. Trusted

For rescue helicopter pilot Paul Robinson, night shifts, extended time away from family and cancelled leave are the norm as he selflessly puts others first to save lives. Paul has been a pilot with the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust for almost 10 years and also heads up training. "I am proud of the amazing team I work with and know they have the skills to care for people in need," he says. Without his efforts, there would not be enough funds to sustain the vital and often life-saving charity.

__Find out more > __

Sue Ollerton

Sustainable Papakura
Dedicated. Big-hearted. Community Centred

Edible gardens are popping up in public spaces all over Papakura, as locals follow the lead of sustainability champion Sue Ollerton. It's all part of her mission to help the residents of the Auckland suburb cut down on waste to save their wallet and the planet. Sue weaves her magic at Sustainable Papakura, where she facilitates sustainability workshops in her role as marketing manager. She teaches people to sew disposable nappies and cloth pads and how to make beeswax wrappers to replace plastic wrap. "Our workshops help people feel confident to become more sustainable in their homes," Sue says.

__Find out more > __

We congratulate all of our finalists and nominees and recognise the important contribution they make to the local community.

View all of the finalists, nominees and their organisations

If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354)

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