I caught up with Mark Grantham in Newmarket on Christmas Eve. Mark has sold chocolate on Broadway for about 15 years, raising money for the kids he sponsors through World Vision. He’s a great guy and I enjoyed getting to know him and his dad during my years in Newmarket. It was great to award him with a Good Citizen Award last year.
Lucy and I also exchanged some Christmas cheer with long-serving Newmarket street cleaner, Rachel Sifa. Rachel is the most hardworking and dedicated person you’d ever find. I was delighted a couple of years ago to organise a trip for her back to Samoa, thanks to a generous local travel agent. Auckland Council is lucky to have her.