Training maritime Samaritans

Volunteers staff the Papakura, Waiuku and Titirangi Coastguard units.

Auckland Airport is giving away $120,000 to Kiwi charities as part of its 12 Days of Christmas initiative. The Herald and Herald on Sunday will profile each recipient.

Saving lives can sometimes mean putting your own life at risk - something Coastguard volunteers are more than happy to do.

The Northern Region Coastguard will be able to continue their good work thanks to a $10,000 grant from Auckland Airport.

Made up of volunteers within the Papakura, Waiuku and Titirangi units, the charity is one of a dozen groups to receive part of the $120,000 available in this year's 12 Days of Christmas initiative, which is funded by unwanted currency donated by the travelling public.

The president of the Waiuku unit, Nigel Griffiths, said the donation would go towards volunteer training programmes.

"We have three units that work on the Manukau Harbour - and that's what we're going to use it specially for. It allows us to practise practical skills out on the water."

There are thousands of Coastguard volunteers in New Zealand who give 300,000 hours of their time to help save lives throughout the year, Mr Griffiths said.

The training sessions can be dangerous and involve search and rescue-type efforts, including swimming in rough waters.

"The more real we can make it, the better it is - and the better it helps us to improve our skills to help us help the public," he said.

Anna Cassels-Brown of Auckland Airport said the firm was proud to help a cause that was saving lives and would continue to do so.

For more info visit: coastguard.org.nz