Photo of Andrew with his sisters.
I have been volunteering for MS Auckland for nearly 10 years, I think I may be the longest running volunteer! Both my parents volunteered for charities while I was growing up, it became a family way of life. My brother-in-law’s mother has MS, so there is a family connection there. It was my Mum who first volunteered for MS Auckland, and I was happy to join her.
I find volunteering good for my wellbeing, there’s a sense of fulfilment in giving back to the community, plus it grounds me, especially as my job takes me overseas working for Air New Zealand. Quite often, with shift work my friends and family are working, leaving me with free time during the day, which means I am able to help MS Auckland out, bonus!
Mangawhai would be top of the list! My sisters’ have baches there. It’s where the family get together to relax or go fishing. I will sneak another place in, Barcelona, for the culture, food and the weather is nice all year round!
My Mum, she holds the family together. My sisters and I cherish and love our mum deeply. She volunteered for many different roles and organisations. She always sacrificed a lot in keeping the family first, it was always, kids first, then husband, and herself last.
I would be interacting with people, I love the outdoors, so may be a park ranger!
Any Asian restaurant, I love stir fries!
A colleague from work has two boys who are disabled, I admire his attitude towards life, incredibly positive and hardworking, and just gives back so much. It’s really encouraging.
MS Auckland Ambassador and comedian Sam Smith talked to other comedians about living with MS and got into some very funny conversations.
A diagnosis of MS is make or break – I was broken for the first year. Then I decided that enough is enough. I want to do something more with my life.
