Pride of NZ: Sam was run off her feet even while on crutches

Waipawa's Sam Hutchinson has been nominated as Fundraiser of the Year in this year's Pride of New Zealand awards.

Sam Hutchinson was literally run off her feet when she organised an event which raised $22,000 for the Waipawa Primary School.

But being on crutches after a hip operation didn't stop the chairwoman of the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Whanau and Friends, going the extra mile - and, for her trouble, she has been nominated for Fundraiser of the Year in the second annual Pride of New Zealand Awards.

She said it was a "shock" to receive the nod.

"I was shocked and embarrassed actually, because it's a big team thing, it's not just me doing it. I couldn't do it without everybody else on the PTA."

In Ms Hutchinson's role, she organises fundraising events for the school, where her children, Ethan, 8, and Abi, 7, are pupils.

Last week, the school put on a fundraiser with the help of the Waipukurau Rotary, dubbed "An Evening with Sir Richard Hadlee".

She made contact with the former New Zealand cricketing great, who agreed to give a talk at the event.

"We didn't think we would be able to get him, and we were so, so happy when we did."

Items were auctioned and the PTA also fed the 180 guests.

Organising the event took months and it was a full-time job, even as she "hobbled" around on crutches after her surgery in Auckland, securing sponsors and prizes.

She said the night raised a total of $22,000, which would go towards purchasing technology for the school.

"We want to increase the number of IT devices at the school."

But she maintains she couldn't have pulled off the event without the help of her trusty team.

"I may be the chairperson but I couldn't do it without a whole lot of people behind me."

Nominate our community's heroes
Can you help us find and celebrate our greatest ordinary Kiwis?
Together with our fellow NZME news organisations plus the TSB Bank we're now seeking nominations in the annual Pride of New Zealand Awards.

Nominations are open now and can be made until June 14 at the website www.prideofnzawards.co.nz.

Regional and national awards will be made in the following categories: Bravery and Heroism, Community Spirit, Fundraiser of the Year, Emergency Services, Environment, Lifetime Achievement.

If you know someone who works tirelessly in the community to improve the lives of others, nominate them today!