Presenting your 2022 Westfield Local Hero

We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Riccarton.

The successful Westfield Local Heroes organisation, will receive a grant of $20,000 to help them continue to grow their impact in the local community. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

In early 2023, we will open nominations for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference.

Your 2022 Westfield Riccarton Local Hero is:

Pam Stark

Child Cancer Foundation
Empathetic. Selfless. Compassionate

Pam Stark is giving back to her community by supporting whānau whose lives have been turned upside down by childhood cancer.

Pam received support from Child Cancer Foundation when her late son Conor was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. One year later, she was ready to support other families and volunteered to be a part of the organisation’s Christchurch Whānau Connect Group. In 2019 she took on the position as Lead.

Under Pam’s guidance, the group hosts regular peer support activities for 120 families across the Canterbury region who form connections and realise they are not alone.

Pam does whatever she can to help families feel supported, never to feel lonely and always know where to turn for friendly advice.

Pam is always sensitive to the individual needs of people on a cancer journey. That includes the child, their parents, their siblings and whānau. In addition, she helps people connect with people who can support each other’s cultural needs.

One of Pam’s standout achievements has been her innovative response to the COVID-19 restrictions, including contactless support and an online Christmas event with parcels couriered to the families who registered.

“I am motivated by my experiences with my late son Conor’s cancer journey. I want to give back,” Pam says.

Child Cancer Foundation will use its funds for several events for Christchurch people affected by childhood cancer.

We also congratulate our finalists who will receive a $5,000 grant for the organisation they represent, and we thank them for their incredible contribution to the local community.

Jess Roberts from It Takes a Village Hub
Jess Roberts is passionate about helping those in need and spends countless hours distributing baby and toddler bundles to families through Canterbury-based It Takes a Village Hub. Under Jess’s leadership, the charity is responding to increased demand and has distributed more than 700 bundles in the past 12 months compared with about 320 previously.

Mataara Newson from Victim Support Christchurch
Empathetic Mataara Newson puts her heart and soul into helping victims of crime, trauma and suicide feel safe, heal and find justice. As a support worker for Victim Support (Manaaki Tāngata) Christchurch, Mataara takes care to understand the unique needs of every person she works with to give them the emotional and practical support they need.

If you need support, please phone __Victim Support (Manaaki Tāngata) Christchurch: 0800 842 846.

If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 0800 543 354.

Recognising all our 2022 nominees

View all of the Westfield Riccarton nominees and their organisation