Paige Hughes in Year 12 has been busy turning gratitude into action through a series of inspiring community initiatives.

In February, Paige curated 23 activity bags designed to bring a bit of joy to children facing difficult times. She hand-delivered 11 of these bags to Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch and 12 to the Children’s Oncology Group (CHOC) at Christchurch Hospital.

For Paige, this mission was deeply personal. Having spent 59 nights at Ronald McDonald House when she was just four years old, she knows firsthand how much these small gestures mean to families in need. It was a wonderful way for her to give back to the organisations that supported her and her family years ago.

Paige’s efforts didn't stop there. Throughout February and March, she has been a dedicated advocate for:

• The Heart Foundation: Collecting donations to support heart health.

• Child Cancer Foundation: Paige and her family "adopted" a collection site at Mitre 10 MEGA for a full day, braving the elements to raise vital funds for children and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.

We are incredibly proud of Paige’s initiative and her commitment to serving others. Her hard work is a shining example!