When Arthritis New Zealand needed a local volunteer to help promote its cause and raise some money, the man to put his hand up was a 94 year old World War 2 veteran.
Maurice Abrahams is a legend in Nelson. He still plays in the Nelson Brass Band, has served as a Freemason for more than 70 years and volunteers for Arthritis NZ after developing two forms of arthritis.
Along with his partner Sue, Maurice leads an active life and part of it is volunteering at the Ngawhatu swimming pool, where he is a trained lifeguard. “But I only save the ladies,” he joked.
Last week he and Sue spent two hours at Z petrol station in Halifax St, where he worked as a “community concierge” washing windows and greeting customers. He handed out orange tokens which his customers could use to vote for Arthritis NZ and help the charity receive cash from Z, through its Good in the Hood promotion. Maurice says he got relief from his treatment so wanted to give back, but he wasn’t sure if he’d be offered a job after his efforts. “Sue’s right into it and I just follow along, but when people respond you feel good.”
