To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
Nichola Christie meet Ivy Mills 15 years ago when the older woman arrived on her doorstep holding an "exquisite" homemade Christmas cake.
The cake was a thank-you for her "fruitcake-loving" husband Peter, a surgeon who had operated on Mrs Mills for 14 hours to remove a cancerous tumour that year.
Every Christmas since, the now 80-year-old has made a Christmas cake for the family, despite Mr Christie's death in 2005. It's a task she fits in in between endless volunteer work at a hospice, hospitals and RSA.
Mrs Christie has nominated her now good friend Mrs Mills for the Herald Unsung Community Heroes series which recognises the work people do in their community.
Five nominees will be chosen at the end of the series for a P&O Cruise.
Mrs Christie said Mrs Mills spent her life caring for those around her and helping people in West Auckland where she lives.
"A visit to her has to be scheduled around her weekly timetable of voluntary service."
Mrs Mills works twice a week at the West Auckland hospice shop and up to two days a week as a hostess at Waitakere Hospital.
Until recently she helped at the RSA calling bingo and she is a member of the Evacuees Association. Next week she will be out collecting for Poppy Day and she also helps on Daffodil Day.
"Ivy's most special labour of love sees her combing charity shops for soft toys," said Mrs Christie.
After washing and, if necessary, repairing them she delivers the toys to Starship hospital so they can be given to children throughout the year.
"Ivy has a heart of gold. She is cheerful, positive and caring," said Mrs Christie.
"She is an unsung hero."
Mrs Mills told the Herald she loved getting out and meeting people and that she and her late husband had always been active in the community.
She would "go mad" if she had to stay at home all day, although she didn't think there was anything special in what she did.
"When it's boiled down there are quite a few like me that spend their time volunteering."
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.
