For more than 13 years, Kevin has been a familiar face in the Hospice Whanganui gardens.
Every Friday since 2013, he has joined our gardening volunteers, helping care for the outdoor spaces that bring comfort and enjoyment to patients, whānau, staff, and visitors.
Born and bred in Whanganui, Kevin has spent most of his life connected to the community. Growing up on a family farm, he learned the value of hard work from an early age. Over the years he worked in a variety of roles before spending more than three decades as a groundskeeper at Whanganui Collegiate School, where he cared for the grounds and watched the campus evolve over time.
Today, retirement keeps him busy with family, golf, and exploring Whanganui on his bicycle, but volunteering remains an important part of his week. For Kevin, Friday mornings at Hospice Whanganui are about more than gardening.
He’s made good friends through volunteering and enjoys being part of a team working towards a shared purpose. While gardens are never truly finished, Kevin takes pride in knowing he has helped create welcoming outdoor spaces for those who spend time at Hospice.
“I like to think I’ve made a difference in a small way,” he says.
At Hospice Whanganui, volunteers like Kevin help make our patient- and whānau-led service possible. Whether they’re working in our shops, supporting events, welcoming visitors, driving patients, or tending the gardens, every volunteer contributes to the care and comfort we provide across our community.
Thank you, Kevin, for the time, dedication, and care you continue to share with Hospice Whanganui.