To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes is not the news a 17-year-old girl wants to hear.
But Maureen Hartmann thought long and hard about it, joined a support group, and got on with her life.
Now, more than 30 years later, married and with two grown sons, she uses her experience and knowledge of the disease to help others similarly afflicted.
Mrs Hartmann has been the volunteer co-ordinator of the Three Kings Diabetes Support Group for more than 10 years. The group, mainly retired people, meets once a month at the Fickling Centre in Three Kings for companionship, support and exercises.
Mrs Hartmann arranges guest speakers, give information on how best to live with diabetes, and makes sure everyone gets a cup of tea.
She organises a podiatrist to come to her house to treat group members, as foot problems are often associated with diabetes.
She has been nominated for the Herald Unsung Heroes series by the area administrator for Diabetes Auckland, Marguerite Durling.
The series recognises the work people do in their communities. Five nominees will be chosen at the end of the series to go on a P&O cruise.
The Three Kings group has been going for nearly 20 years, and has up to 20 members.
"It is very important to have community-based support groups," says Mrs Hartmann. "We need to encourage and uplift people, especially the elderly, and we try to get them involved with activities."
Mrs Hartmann also looks after information and awareness stands during Diabetes Awareness Week, and distributes noticeboard material in her local libraries.
The Three Kings support group operates under Diabetes Auckland, and volunteer co-ordinators attend regular meetings to keep up with advances in treatment and facilities available.
As well as her work with diabetics, Mrs Hartmann spends two days a week at the MacLean Centre, the facility for students with disabilities and special needs at Mt Roskill Grammar School.
The time she gives to her community is part of Mrs Hartmann's philosophy, and is backed up by her Christian faith.
"I enjoy people and being able to help them. I like to find the characteristics and uniqueness in everyone, and appreciate the qualities in each."
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.
