Wellington / Wairarapa

Andrew Walklin

Who benefits from this nominee's efforts?:
Youth, community and anyone who comes into contact with this awesome person.

What obstacles has this nominee overcome?:
Andrew has cystic fibrosis, cystic fibrosis diabetes as well as requiring dialysis 3 times a week (the result of years of medication on his kidneys.) Andrew will be looking for both a lung and kidney transplant in the near future.

What tangible results has this nominee achieved?:
A role model and coach for junior cricket team members. Peer support for other people with CF. Active member of his Community Service group and other local charities. Andrew is currently working with others to set up a charity to support up and coming junior cricket players

Why this nominee is a Kiwi Battler:
Andrew is the surviving offspring of Margaret and Doug. All his life Andrew, who was born with cystic fibrosis, has struggled to stay well. His Parents instilled in Andrew a strong sense of community service. This ethic permeates throughout the whole family as they are all involved in Lions. Andrew is currently the President of Tinakori Lions, a community service group that supports all kinds of community projects. On top of that, Andrew is a junior cricket coach for several teams in Wellington through Cricket Wellington. Andrew is actively involved in supporting the CF Wellington Community and has recently started to get involved in the Wellington Kidney Society. If Andrew can't help directly, he will find a way to contribute as much as his health allows. At 36 years of age Andrew is an 'elder' in the CF community as the genetic condition takes its toll on peoples health, especially as they age. Andrew not only has a daily regime of nebulised drugs to help maintain his lung function, handfuls of enzyme tablets to aid digestion, lots of coughing, insulin injections for his diabetes and now dialysis 3 times a week. Most people would curl up and think of themselves but Andrew shrugs off adversity and looks for the next person to help. Andrew is a true Kiwi Battler