The couple organises events that raise money for Ronald McDonald House, persuades businesses to provide services or vouchers to help sick children, and solicits grants for bereaved families.
They also travel all over the North Island encouraging people to join the bone marrow registry.
"It's probably more than a fulltime job," admits Mr Topperwien, who lobbies organisations all over New Zealand.
"But it's just what you have to do. We've got no excuse to not do what we do."
Sponsored by the New Zealand Herald, the Hits radio station and TSB Bank, the Pride of New Zealand Awards celebrate those Kiwi volunteers, campaigners, fundraisers, caregivers and other heroic people who go above and beyond for others.
The awards have been running since June to find unsung Kiwi heroes and honour them for their bravery, selflessness and kindness.
There are six award categories, including honouring acts of bravery or heroism, community spirit, fundraising efforts and those involved with emergency services.
The overall national award winners were selected from regional winners by a panel of esteemed judges, including NZME chief executive Jane Hastings, TSB Bank chief executive Kevin Murphy, Sir Peter Leitch, former Silver Fern Bernice Mene and former Tall Black and Breakers great Dillon Boucher.
Pride of New Zealand judge Sir Peter Leitch said it was great to honour ordinary people who were heroes by contributing to their communities.
"I salute them all," he says.
"They are making the difference in our country. On the awards night, we had a room full of good people and that's a real buzz. They're people that just do little things all the time - even just running a sausage sizzle for a charity. Unsung heroes come in many different forms."
"It's fantastic that NZME, via the Herald and the Hits, is able to give something back and support the community who have supported us over the years," NZME chief executive and judge Jane Hastings said.
- Visit nzherald.co.nz/prideofnzawards to read the winners' stories.
