Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Local hero is a serial helper
Most communities in New Zealand have local heroes who help out whenever they can, selflessly giving their time to make things better or put them right. Hawkes Bay has a hero who will travel the country to give his assistance.
Tim Dodge was seriously injured a few years ago when his legs and pelvis were crushed in an accident but that hasn’t stopped him. Tim rescued 17 people during the devastating Gabrielle, travelled to Kaikōura to lend a helping hand after the earthquake there and last month he used his digger to remove 37 truck tires dumped on East Clive Beach.
“Dodge said his journey helping the community “officially” started in 2016, after the Kaikōura earthquake. ‘I’ve always helped people, but earlier in life, I couldn’t afford to help this way. The big one started with the Kaikoura earthquake. That Christmas, I went down there with two diggers in the truck.’
“He spent two weeks in the South Island, helping local farmers recover, and still gets emotional when he talks about it. Dodge wiped away tears as he remembered that time and the lives he saved. ‘I didn’t realise how bad it was for those people in Kaikoura till I got there,’ he recalled.” (Source: “On The Up: Tim Dodge – the man who cleared 37 tyres from Clive in a day,” by Rafaella Melo, Hawkes Bay Today, May 9, www.nzherald.co.nz).
5 stars – Tim says he helps out because he likes to help people – all upside!
Child used mum’s phone to order 70,000 lollipops for his ‘carnival’
The world is a bit crazy at the moment so any story with a touch of the surreal is a real tonic. This tale comes from Kentucky in the US, where 8 year old Liam LaFavers accidentally ordered a huge amount of Dum-Dum lollipops, that were delivered to his home. Despite his mum Holly’s best efforts to stop the order, 22 boxes of the sweet treats were delivered to their front doorstep.
“”He told me that he wanted to have a carnival, and he was ordering the Dum-Dums as prizes for his carnival,’ LaFavers said. “Again, he was being friendly, he was being kind to his friends.’
“The surprise got worse after a quick check of her bank account. She owed about $4,000 for the order. ‘When I saw what the number was, I just about fainted,’ LaFavers said. Luckily, she said Amazon is fully refunding the [US]$4,000, and her bank is also waiving fees, CBS affiliate WKYT reports. ‘I was able to laugh about it a little earlier today, so I can finally laugh about it,’ LaFavers told the station.” (Source: “Kentucky boy uses mom’s phone to order 70,000 lollipops — costing $4,000: ‘He wanted to have a carnival,'” May 8, www.cbsnews.com).
5 stars – sometimes we all need a bit of a carnival! Great story with a great ending. Good stuff!
Heart transplant doesn’t stop grandfather’s marathon efforts
Seven years ago New Plymouth man Nigel Gibson had a heart transplant but that hasn’t stopped him walking half marathons. In fact, Nigel has since completed 26 epic walks, with no signs of slowing down.
“One year after the major operation, he walked to the top of Taranaki Maunga and also completed the Tongariro Crossing. He then set himself the goal of walking 25 half-marathons, which he completed in 22 months, travelling to events all over the North Island. Gibson recently finished number 26, after taking part in the inaugural Honey Half Marathon in New Plymouth last month.
“‘It was a real buzz. The [starter] gun went and I just went for it,’ he said. And while Gibson will have to take medication for the rest of his life and attend yearly checkups, he would be forever grateful for the decision his ‘selfless donor’ made. ‘It’s a gift and I’ll never take that for granted, ever.'” (Source: “Grandfather clocks up 26th half-marathon after heart transplant,” by Deena Coster, May 9, www.stuff.co.nz).
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