Sydney´s North West a haven for help

Two volunteers from Sydney´s northwest were recognised for their tireless efforts in the community at this week´s 2008 NRMA Motoring & Services´ Helping People Awards®.

The volunteer efforts of Stephen Morell from Bligh Park and Nicole Ziedan from Pitt Town shone out from the 300 NRMA Helping People Award nominations, to earn them a place among the four winning recipients for this year.

NRMA Director Coral Taylor, congratulated Stephen Morell and Nicole Ziedan for their achievement and said this year´s nominations were tough to judge but Steve and Nicole stood out as two people who really did go above and beyond for their communities.

"Stephen and Nicole both won an NRMA Helping People Award for the exceptionally strong impact they are making on other people´s lives," Ms Taylor said.

Stephen Morell has volunteered for Youth Insearch for over ten years and won in the Community Volunteer category after he brought a young man back from the brink of despair and gave many more the skills and confidence to succeed. Youth Insearch helps more than 1000 Australian kids each year, many of whom have attempted or contemplated suicide.

Nicole Ziedan, 23, won the NRMA Youth Volunteer Award and volunteers for both St John Ambulance and the NSW Fire Brigade, driving long distances to attend events where she volunteers as a first aid officer. Nicole was also recognised for the heroic effort she showed in saving the life of a driver she pulled from a burning car on her way home from work.

Coral Taylor said both were big-hearted heroes who were always willing to give their time to help someone in need with no expectation of anything in return.

"That´s why it´s great to be able to publicly acknowledge their contributions through these awards," Ms Taylor said.

The four winners of this year´s Helping People Awards were awarded $5,000 each towards the work of their charity and a share of $20,000 worth of international and domestic travel courtesy of NRMA Travel and Travelodge. Stephen Morell received an NRMA Travel ?Helping Hands Tour´ of Southern Africa while Nicole Ziedan will enjoy an adventure on Fiji´s spectacular Yasawa Islands and Nadi.

Mr Morell thanked the NRMA and said he was excited about the difference $5,000 could make to Youth Insearch.

Ms Ziedan said she would give her $5,000 donation to the Hawkesbury branch of St John Ambulance allowing her team to continue to assist at events around the area.

For more information on Youth Insearch and St John Ambulance visit www.youthinsearch.org.au or www.stjohn.org.au.