Kiwibank Local Heroes Medal Recipients for

Hawkes Bay

Ros Rowe of Hastings

Ros Rowe, of Hastings, is the founder and driving force behind the Leg-Up Trust, a charitable organisation that is changing the lives of disadvantaged youth in the Hawke’s Bay.

The Trust provides a unique retreat where the healing abilities of horses and the opportunity for youth to feel engaged and empowered are combined to provide a second chance at life. The Leg-Up Trust works with young people suffering a wide scope of social disadvantages including mental illness, anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems.  Many of the youngsters who come through the programme have been relegated to the ‘too hard basket’ and have lost the support they so desperately need.

Ros works around the clock caring for and nurturing clients, horses and staff, planning and implementing programmes, running the farm, arranging volunteers, writing newsletters, managing the office and nursing sick souls. She recently assured the survival of the Leg Up Trust by selling her beloved home and garden in Haumoana and buying a 13 acre farmlet to provide facilities for the Trust.

Neil Hatcher of Flaxmere

Neil has made Flaxmere not only his home but his life for over 30 years. Having help developd Flaxmere into what it is today by providing business, voluntary time and general support for the community in which he still resides.

Neil is the quintessential volunteer offering his services to the following organisations, The Centrepoint Retailers, IHC Hastings and as Chairman of Age Concern Flaxmere. Through these not-for-profit organisations Neil has shuttled, comforted and offered help to anyone who needed it. And as one of Neil’s nominators says “(Neil) has a complete dedication to the tasks he undertakes and a deep care and concern for people, no matter who they may be.”

Sandy Walker of Gisborne

Sandy work’s tirelessly for the Hawkes Bay Child Cancer Charitable Trust and played a leading role in the fundraising of $1.3 million dollars to build Little Elms village, a family support centre that offers free accommodation for parents of children being treated for serious illness at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

Despite having an already busy life, Sandy commits countless hours of fundraising and charity to these two charitable roles. Sandy is also a board member of the New Zealand Heavy Haulage Association, a role which requires around 200 hours each year, all of them voluntary.