For six years, Dean Gifford has been helping children in New Zealand and overseas as well as holding down a job as a front-line police officer.
Even dealing with the effects and treatment of a brain tumour hasn’t slowed Dean down in his community efforts. The Wellington-based senior constable regularly sends shipments of toys, clothing, medical supplies and other donations to the Solomon Islands.
Dean was inspired to act when he saw pictures of children there dressed in rags. Determined to help, he sent clothing and toys donated by colleagues and local stores as well as "a whole lot of stuff from the $2 Shop’".
"Then I started hitting up bigger companies,” Dean said.
He obtained donations of sports equipment, toothbrushes, soap and cleaning products and the Wellington Free Ambulance donated much-needed medical supplies and fluoro clothing.
Four years ago, Dean was diagnosed with a brain tumour but while in hospital for chemotherapy treatment he often visited the children's cancer ward to befriend children “who were in the same predicament as me."
"I started organising for the police dogs to come up and visit, and a couple of times I brought puppies as well,” Dean said.
Dean continues to collect paint supplies after a visit to the Solomon Islands last year inspired a new project. As a result, a hospital in Honiara will experience a little redecorating.