A St John Ambulance volunteer has been recognised as one of Whangārei's lockdown heroes after more than 100 submissions from the public.
Laura McKay received prizes worth $1000 as part of a giveaway organised by small businesses to celebrate essential workers who looked after the community during the recent level 4 lockdown.
The mother of a 2-year-old normally works part time, but picked up extra work during lockdown, pulling 14-16-hour shifts and then spent her weekends volunteering for St John Ambulance.
![Laura McKay volunteered for St John on her weekends to support the understaffed team. Photo / Michael Cunningham](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/HG2L3V5KD4AVYTNTEMQZEBNA6Y.jpg?auth=19621f9b6adc8045c6ecd7889951a7e82be4fb2738b922547d16be694de74934&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
"We felt that Laura has gone above and beyond her usual role," beauty business owner Zaytia Coulter said.