Graham Edser and his Wainuiomata RSA mates love putting something back into their community. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Graham Edser and his Wainuiomata RSA mates love putting something back into their community. Photo / Mark Mitchell
To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
Graham Edser won't have kids crying at his parties.
The Wainuiomata 67-year-old raises money throughout the year by selling raffle tickets for the RSA's annual children's Christmas Party and a February family picnic.
It's essential, he says, that they all go home with big smiles on their faces.
Take thefoot races for those under 5.
"Everyone gets a prize, not only the ones that came in first, second or third. We make sure we have some $2 prizes so no one gets teary. They all go home with a present."
Mr Edser has been nominated for the Herald Unsung Heroes series, which recognises people who selflessly work to make a difference in their communities.
The stories of many of them will feature in the paper and five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
Semi-retired Mr Edser has been in charge of the two children's shindigs for the past 10 years.
He remembers as a child his father taking him to picnic days at Trentham.
"Those were great family occasions - I've got a couple of grandchildren who live with me and I wanted to make sure they had those sorts of memories as well. It's good to see them get out and have a great day."
Free petting zoos, bouncy castles, ferris wheels and all sorts of sugar and sweets are simple things that kids still get a buzz out of.
And it's a small way for his RSA buddies to support families in Wainuiomata - although when they hear that hundreds are expected for the Christmas they do often joke that they won't be putting in an appearance that day.
Mr Edser was nominated by a friend.
His daughter, Helen Elliott, said her dad might not realise it, but his work brings families together as a community. That was special, she said.
"It's just a chance to get together and be together. They love it."
His voluntary work isn't really work. Children just keep him young, Mr Edser said.
"I've always loved kids, no problems about that."
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.
