Volunteer spreads love with civic spirit | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Harold Manning says it is a humbling thing to be recognised by the community with a Napier Civic Award and he is modest about the contribution he has made.

"I'm only the face of a big team of people," he says.

Mr Manning was given the award on Monday at a ceremony recognising those who have made significant contributions to the lives of others.

He and wife Cynthia have been serving the community for decades, working voluntarily for Christian Lovelink since 1992, offering services to those in need.

Lovelink delivers food parcels, gifts furniture, home repairs and sometimes just keeps people company.

"It's all free and no questions asked - there's a tonne of need out there," Mr Manning says.

He does not like to take credit for his actions, saying it is simply his duty as a Christian.

"We're just ordinary people doing ordinary things for ordinary people.

"We are simply helping people in the community with a need, filling in the gaps where we can."

He was the instigator and driving force of the successful Children's Christmas Party, which has been running for nine years.

This caters for families who have been helped by Lovelink during the year, who probably would have nothing during the festive season. Three hundred children and parents attend.

"We're just following the message of Jesus; he was a servant who taught us love your neighbour as you love yourself.

"There are oodles of people out there who need help."

Mr Manning works alongside numerous other community organisations such as Housing New Zealand, who have said that without Lovelink they could not have done their job as effectively.

Mr Manning said the programme could not function without the support of generous funders and people in the community.

"The biggest thing for us to be givers [is] we need people to give to us," he said.

If you have goods to donate to Christian Lovelink or are interested in volunteering, phone 843 9803.