Unsung Heroes: Helping others 'always the normal thing to do'

Marilyn Glover has wide interests including soccer, scouting and libraries. Photo / Martin Sykes

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you - and the world will be a better place.

That's the philosophy of Takapuna resident Marilyn Glover, who says giving back to others is "just a given".

The 64-year-old grandmother of four has been doing voluntary work for various organisations all her life, taking on roles for the Red Cross, Plunket and at the local Rotary club.

She is also known for her work in advocating for the needs of disabled children, acting as chairwoman for Takapuna's Wilson School - supporting students with special needs - and working for the North Shore community and social services committee.

Mrs Glover - who worked for the School Trustees Association for years, before retiring in 2004 - says helping others has always been the normal thing to do.

"My mother was always heavily involved in the community, so I thought it was normal.

"It was only years later that I realised it wasn't, when people asked me: 'Why do you do it?' - I'd say: 'Well, why not?'."

Among other voluntary activities, she has also been the treasurer for the Friends of the Takapuna Library group, as well as having organised local cub scouts, neighbourhood watch and coached a number of soccer teams when her two sons were younger.

"Why not help others? What a strange question. I just think - it's my responsibility to put things back [into the community] so that my children can enjoy it," Mrs Glover said.

Friend Marianne Stevens - who nominated Mrs Glover as an unsung hero - says nothing is ever too much trouble for her friend.

Mrs Stevens said Mrs Glover - who was her neighbour for three years, but who has now moved - is widely known within the street, where she continues to help neighbours.

"When we go overseas, she walks over to collect the mail and makes sure everything's okay - she does that for almost the whole street. She goes to so much trouble just to help people."

Mrs Glover said she was still keen to get involved in other voluntary groups and hoped more people would start to get involved in the community - and not expect to be paid for it.

"It's that idea of - If I've helped somebody along the way, then my living will not have been in vain."