Chris Woods suddenly passed away on Tuesday, February 13, leaving his immediate family and CAB Pakuranga family profoundly saddened.
Those who have visited CAB would have come across him. He had a big presence.
Chris was an exemplary human being. He volunteered at CAB Pakuranga from 2006 to present, sometimes doing two to three shifts a week.
He had a vibrant personality and a cheeky sense of humour. He was an interviewer, a mentor and a peer reviewer.
He did not take any of these roles lightly. As an interviewer he was empathetic, compassionate and always going the extra mile for his clients.
As for his mentoring role, volunteers were lucky to have him as their mentor, always so encouraging.
He was also a very passionate peer reviewer, reviewing each enquiry thoroughly to maintain a high standard of responses.
He was not one to hold back his thoughts, driving home the point but in a funny way.
No physical setback would keep Chris away from the bureau for long.
He would be back as soon as possible and get on with the business of helping people, something he enjoyed a lot.
I [Vani Kapoor] had the privilege of being his team mate on Tuesdays for several years.
However, it’s not just the Tuesday team who will miss him but the manager, all other volunteers and everyone whose hearts he touched will feel his absence.
- This Solutions Column has been compiled by Vani and is a regular Times editorial from the Pakuranga Citizens Advice Bureau. Email enquiries.pakuranga@cab.org.nz or Visit us at the Library Building, Pakuranga, Phone 576 8331 and at Botany Citizens Advice Bureau, rear Food Court entrance, Botany Town Centre, Phone 271 5382 or 0800 367 222 for free, confidential and informative help.
