A home-grown charity manned by a dedicated team of volunteers has helped ease the pain of a Puni mother grieving the loss of her beloved husband.  On February 23 last year, Debra Hawley lost the love of her life. Her husband and partner of 30 years, and the devoted father to his children, Jodi, Alex and M...

To describe Sarah and Jared Chisnall’s struggle to ensure their four children get the best possible start in life as ‘tough’, is a true understatement.

Parenting for many can be a day-to-day strain – but the Chisnall’s labour of love is a constant battle. Their eldest child, daughter Lucia 8, suffered sev...

Self-confessed fitness freak Frank Ver Heyen had always taken care of his health.  A fan of exercise, on the cusp of 60 he had picked up kick boxing, been a keen football coach, never smoked and stayed away from the booze.  For a man of his age, even a man 10 years younger, Ver Heyen was in great shape. Y...

At the tender age of 3, little Kiriana Ronaki has fought battles beyond her years.  The courageous tot took on brain cancer – and claimed victory – though her future health can’t be guaranteed until five years post-surgery. 

Kiriana’s mum Anna and her dad Kramer, of Onewhero, have been nominated to re...

Chloe Cooper’s son Kobe toddles swiftly around the lounge and tries to make a break for the backyard. ‘‘He’s just like his father was, a real outdoorsy boy,’’ said Chloe – who works as a hairdresser in Pukekohe. Chloe’s beloved partner Chad Bryden passed away suddenly in April from undiagnosed stomach can...

“Someone has really thought of us and seen how we have struggled. It’s a nice feeling. And  it’s really great that the other kids were included. As siblings are often overlooked.” Ali Andrew 

Pukekohe solo mum Ali Andrew reckons she’s just that – a mum. But those who know her best, and, of course her...

Since the Franklin Silver Lining Trust’s inception in 2008, Glenys Webster has been an unwavering supporter of the trust and its work easing the suffering of those in our community facing adversity. It never occurred to her once during her five years associatedwith the trust that she would one day be a r...

Racing down the back straight of Hampton Downs at an adrenaline pumping 250kmh would be a nerve-racking experience for anyone. But in Greg Murphy’s hands, Shaun Vincent felt pretty safe. ‘‘It’s awesome, you certainly know you’re alive when you’re going that fast. It takes you into another level of sensori...

Firefighter Shaun Vincent works for an organisation that saves lives. And in an ironic but incredibly fortunate twist of fate, Shaun’s employer has saved his life. During a routine  health check in 2009 with the New Zealand Fire Service, Shaun, on the cusp of 40, was offered a prostate-specific antigen (P...

Reon Graham still forgets things once in a while, and admits he’s still in recovery mode.  ‘‘The doctors said it would be like that for a few months,’’ said his wife Steph.  During his interview with the Franklin County News, he asked for one question to be repeated, not bad for a man who lost his short-t...