Safety Awards Recognise Wide Range of Heroes

30 September 2008

When we think of heroes, images of caped crusaders leaping tall buildings spring to mind. Here in Wellington, heroes come in many different guises and heroic deeds can range from the spectacular to the everyday.

Insp Kevin RIORDAN - Acting Area Commander Wellington City,
Sharla ARNOLD - Coordinator of the Tawa Community Patrol,
Steve HART - Coordinator of the Wellington North Community Patrol,
Dave MERRALL - Coordinator of the Karori Community Patrol,
Kerry PRENDERGAST - Mayor of Wellington

The fourth annual Wellington City Council Safety in the City Awards, tomorrow Wednesday 1 October, will honour an array of local heroes whose actions have helped keep Wellington and Wellingtonians safe.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast will present ten awards to individuals and organisations for their bravery, dedication and outstanding community spirit in safety issues.

"Safety is an important community issue and we all have a role to play in keeping ourselves safe. These people have gone that extra mile to keep others safe, and they should all be incredibly proud of themselves," Mayor Prendergast says.

Recipients range from a teenage lifesaver whose brave efforts to save a triathlon swimmer were highly praised by the Wellington coroner, to an MP who used his fist to stop an injured motorcyclist's leg bleeding, to people who saved their families from burning homes.

Mayor Prendergast says it's important to recognise acts of bravery, but it's equally important to give credit to those who work tirelessly on safety projects on a smaller scale to keep Wellington safe. "These people often get little recognition for their work, so it's fantastic to honour them alongside the spectacular stories."

'Everyday hero' recipients include a woman who works to eradicate graffiti and vandalism on part of the Town Belt and three community patrols consisting of volunteers who walk the streets of their local area to ensure residents are safe.