Volunteer 'saint' of Christchurch

DURING the week Tim Smit is just a normal young man. But when the weekend comes around he is the patron saint of Christchurch.

This 17-year-old does his bit for the community by helping people less fortunate than himself.

Tim has been a Salvation Army volunteer for more than 18 months and every second Sunday, come rain, hail or shine, he delivers and serves food to the homeless, prostitutes and the poor.

Tim is good friend of mine and I wanted to tell his story.

As we begin, his modesty immediately comes through.

Last year at school prize-giving, Tim received the Bruce Andrews award for services to the community. "I was stoked," he tells me. "I didn't expect it at all."

Before the prize-giving no one knew about his volunteering.

"I do it because it's the right thing to do," he says.

Subsequently he was made deputy head boy at the school, about which he was also characteristically humble.
I ask what motivates him.

"Well, I do it because I enjoy it. I see it as my duty because I'm in the position to help," he explains

"It's a good character-building and eye-opening experience and really helps me put things into perspective."

He clearly loves what he does.

The fulfilment he gets comes from the reaction of the people he helps.

"It's great to see people's faces light up when you give them something as simple as a sandwich," he explains. He says he gets a buzz out of giving his time to others so they can benefit.

"Sandwiches, cakes, pies - those always go down well - and rolls" - these are just some items of the huge amounts of food donated by the public to help Tim and the Sallies on their weekly round.

Tim's typical Sunday starts with food deliveries in the north of Christchurch. He then does a loop around the city outskirts dropping off meals and supplies to people in the less wealthy suburbs.

"And then we go into the Square." He and his team spend the rest of the day dishing out food to anyone who needs it.

"A positive attitude is the key in this line of work," says Tim.

Some of the people he helps have pride that they can't easily let go of.

"The people you know need help often refuse it as they think it is degrading and they can get quite offended.

"But if I speak in a friendly tone and tell them we just want to help they usually come around. If they don't the smell of the delicious food always helps," laughs Tim.

"I am a positive person most of the time, but sometimes the things you hear are truly heart-breaking."

One such story concerned a once well-off man who had fallen on hard times.

"He used to be wealthy, was very successful, had a wonderful marriage, a nice house and a nice car," Tim recounts.

Then the man became addicted to gambling, leading to his marriage break-up and the loss of his possessions and business.

"Now he is living on the street fighting for his survival."

It only inspires Tim to want to do more.

"I would like to go into this line of work permanently, maybe overseas somewhere. I've already been to Cambodia for a church mission trip and am rearing to go back."

He has his sights set on becoming a missionary or aid worker in third-world and developing countries, going where he feels he is needed most. He feels working in countries in Africa and Asia are good places to start.

Tim is an inspiration to other young people as he is doing something that affects others in a positive way. Hearing him describe his work, he clearly loves it, and comes across as selfless. He is willing to help anyone and everyone he can.

With his love for others and humble nature many more people stand to benefit from his work in the future.

James Upjohn, Year 13, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu - The Correspondence School