ASB Good As Gold: Paddy Phillips
06 September 2017 / Published in Your CommunityASB Good as Gold is an ASB initiative recognising, rewarding and helping wonderful people in our community. We ask the public to nominate people, who are making a real difference in their community, have grabbed hold of life against the odds or who really deserve help in a time of hardship. The recipients are featured on TV One’s Seven Sharp programme.
Through ASB Good As Gold we’re constantly reminded that it’s often those with the least to give, that give the most. Paddy Phillips is one of these people - a delightful character with a great sense of humour, who through all of the challenges in his life gets out there to serve his community.
At 45 years old, Paddy would love to have a full time job but has been unable to find work for many years due to his slight disability caused by Cerebral Palsy, which causes him to have a slight speech impediment and occasionally have problems with his balance.
A few years back Paddy was seriously ill with Necrotizing Fascitis, spending 3 weeks in Nelson Hospital’s critical care unit. Shortly after returning to work, he was made redundant – but that didn’t stop Paddy. Rather than sit back and do nothing, he volunteers for Red Cross Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to the elderly and infirm, and has done for the last 15 years – every day of the week. He’s a model of positivity and spreads joy everywhere he goes.
Paddy is a hard worker, and is still looking for a job while he volunteers for the Red Cross. He’s a passionate fisherman and whitebaiter, and to show our support, we gave Paddy, his wife and teenage daughter $10,000 for a dream family fishing holiday in Fiji.
We wish Phillips family all the best, and hope they enjoy their dream holiday together.
