Volunteer acknowledged

Oamaru man Andrew Dunn was among 21 volunteers whose contributions to a wide variety of organisations were recognised at a function in Auckland this week.

Mr Dunn, who is chairman of the board of Parkinsons New Zealand, was a finalist in the health and nutrition category at the Intrepid Volunteer Awards.

That category was won by Susan Frear, from Cleft New Zealand, while the overall winner was StarJam volunteer Darryl Pascoe, from Auckland.

More than 100 charities nominated their top volunteers for the awards and nearly 7000 people voted for the seven category winners.

The function, at St Matthews in the City, was hosted by television personality Te Radar.

Mr Dunn was among the four founding members of the Parkinsonism Society of New Zealand, now known as Parkinsons New Zealand, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2008.