Unsung Heroes Winners 2010: Dean Gifford - Kind-hearted policeman

Senior Constable Dean Gifford. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Five people who have given selflessly to their communities are this year's Unsung Heroes.

More than 70 worthy people were nominated in the New Zealand Herald P&O Cruises' Unsung Heroes competition, but five people stood out from the rest for their tireless efforts to better the lives of others. For this, they each win a trip for two on a P&O South Pacific cruise.

Dean Gifford has been helping kids both in New Zealand and overseas for the past six years - as well as holding down a job as a front-line police officer.

The Wellington-based senior constable has been sending shipments of toys, clothing, medical supplies and other donations to the Solomon Islands since 2004.

It all began when Mr Gifford saw pictures of the islands' kids dressed in rags. Determined to take action, he sent over clothing and toys donated by colleagues and local stores, as well as "a whole lot of stuff from The $2 Shop".

"Then I started hitting up bigger companies."

Nike and adidas donated sports equipment, Colgate-Palmolive supplied toothbrushes, soap and cleaning products, Whittaker's gave boxes of Peanut Slabs, and the Wellington Free Ambulance donated much-needed medical supplies and fluoro clothing.

"Wellington Free Ambulance gave me all their old jackets and vests and pants. That all went to the Solomon Islands Police Force, because they don't have any safety equipment."

Mr Gifford was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2006. While in hospital for chemotherapy, he often visited the children's cancer ward and befriended "some of the kids who were in the same predicament as me".

"I started organising for the police dogs to come up and visit, and a couple of times I brought puppies as well."

Visits by the armed offenders squad, the police national dive squad and the Fire Service followed, as well as free helicopter rides and a visit to Weta Studios.

"We took two limo loads of kids and went over to Weta. Richard Taylor gave us a guided tour and then took us out the back where all the things are made ... The kids loved it."

Mr Gifford is currently arranging for the All Blacks to visit while they are in Wellington next week.

He is also collecting paint supplies, after a visit to the Solomon Islands last year inspired a new project.

"That was when I saw the Honiara hospital. I thought, 'Right, that's what we're going to do, we're going to give it a paint-up'."

The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.

Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.