Former creche manager went above and beyond

The Times is recognising the many wonderful people in our local east Auckland community who go out of their way to help others with our regular Community Hero award.

If you know someone who’s doing amazing things in our community, please email 50 to 100 words describing why they deserve this recognition, highlighting specific actions they’ve taken to benefit our community, with your and their contact details and a high-resolution photo of them if possible to chrish@times.co.nz.

Be sure to include details about what they’ve been doing, the impact they’ve made, and how long they’ve been involved in these efforts.

The award is sponsored by New World Howick. Recipients will receive a $50 New World gift card and will be featured in our newspaper and on our website.

The latest recipient is Sue Ellis, former manager of the Highland Park Community Creche.

She’s nominated by Helen Shaw, who says: “Sue has just recently retired at the end of last year and it would be lovely to acknowledge her work and efforts for the creche over many years.

“Sue has not only been the manager, head teacher, teacher, and mentor, but she’s also supported the creche through thick and thin as well as being supportive of Highland Park Community House as a board member.

“Over the past years it has been a struggle keeping these small community early childhood centres viable and Sue has always made sure we’ve applied for grants on time and supported very new mothers of the committee in fundraising.

“Without these events and support we would not have survived.”