Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service receives funds from award winning student volunteer

Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service has received a $250 donation from the winner of the 2014 Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Youth Community Spirit Award.

For her service to school and community, Rikayla Richardson from Katikati College was named as winner of the Award. The Award is jointly run by Trustpower and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and is part of the Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards which were presented on Monday 25 August.

For winning the Award Rikayla received a framed certificate and $500, with an additional $250 being donated to Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service.

Donna Pfefferle, Chair of Trust Waikato Waihi Beach Lifeguard Service says Rikayla is the type of student who touches people’s lives.

“Rikayla’s greatest asset is her positive attitude and in turn this has a great impact on her community. She is a humble unassuming leader who ‘walks the walk’ and not just talks the talk’ so it’s great to see her efforts recognised.

“We are very grateful Rikayla thought of us to donate the money too and it will be used to help fund first aid equipment for the lifeguards. To best serve the public it’s important that our lifeguards, who all complete first aid training, have modern equipment available, says Donna.

Trustpower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville says the Trustpower Youth Community Spirit Award is a wonderful opportunity to formally acknowledge the difference young people make at their school and in the community.

“A lot of negative attention is often directed towards young people and we tend to forget about the incredible input they have in the community. Rikayla is a great example of a student who, despite a busy schedule in and out of school, prioritises giving back to her community through the wide range of volunteer activities she commits herself too.

It’s an honour to recognise these selfless actions through this award”, says Miss Somerville.

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