Church plans a bravery medal for hero mum

Tania Lewis. Photo / APN

A church is planning to honour Whangarei's hero mum Tania Lewis with a bravery medal after she helped another woman escape a violent man.

Police are full of praise for Ms Lewis, a solo mother of two, and the 45-year-old is still fielding calls from members of the public wanting to help her out after her car was damaged in the Tuesday evening incident.

She will be given a trade-in car by Whangarei Kia dealer Stephen Moore, and has been loaned another Kia while her new car is being given a tune up and a new warrant.

Ms Lewis was driving her 16-year-old son Levi's Mitsubishi when she stopped to help a woman who waved her down in Whangarei's Hilltop Rd.

The pair drove off, but were pursued by a hammer-wielding man who rammed the car with his own vehicle before they escaped on foot and hid until police arrived.

Levi's car, which he bought with an inheritance, was extensively damaged.

Ms Lewis said last night The Equip Church in Whangarei, of which she is a member, planned to give her a bravery medal. She had also just picked up a gift basket which included wine and a voucher for a facial.

The Herald will pass on donations from dozens of people keen to give money to help repair the vehicle.

Ms Lewis has also been offered two nights' accommodation at Kina Backpackers on Waiheke Island.

"At this stage I'm still very overwhelmed by everything. I will contact all of the people ... to thank them over the next week. The word 'thanks' just doesn't seem enough really."