Amazing volunteers recognised

Media Release

EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY 18 JUNE

18 June 2013

Amazing volunteers recognised

Arthritis New Zealand is delighted that the volunteering efforts of Kathie Smith and Matthew Wadham have been recognised in the 2013 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards. Kathie is the winner of the Long Service Volunteer Award and runner up in the Community or NGO Health Service Volunteer Award; and Matthew is the winner of the Youth Health Volunteer award. They will receive their awards from the Minister of Health Hon. Tony Ryall at a ceremony in Auckland today.

Kathie has been a volunteer with Arthritis New Zealand for almost 34 years, and has assisted with a wide range of functions from governance through to fundraising. She was President from 2007 to 2011, supported the organisation and its people through changes in direction and leadership, and has been described as its ‘organisational rock’. Kathie is valued for her caring and compassionate approach, calm manner and immense knowledge of arthritis and the health system.

Matthew was first diagnosed with arthritis when he was 10. He participated with his family in activities for children with arthritis while he was growing up, and he soon realised he could provide support to other young people with arthritis. Matthew is now in his 20s, and for the past six years he has used his own experiences to help support other young people who are living with arthritis. He helped plan the 2013 Arthritis New Zealand Children’s Camp, and he is an arthritis advocate for young people in Auckland, where he provides welcome peer support to those who have been newly diagnosed with arthritis.

Arthritis is New Zealand’s leading cause of disability. Arthritis New Zealand is the national organisation focussed on raising awareness of the more than 140 different forms of arthritis, advocating for those with the condition, and providing advice and support. We rely heavily on the efforts of our volunteers. If you would like to volunteer for us, we would love to hear from you. Phone 0800 663 463 or visit our website: www.arthritis.org.nz.

ENDS

© Scoop Media