The Bay of Plenty District Health Board Volunteer Service has been recognised for their hard work with a 2015 Trustpower Tauranga Community Award.

The service triumphed in the Health and Wellbeing category, with BOPDHB volunteer co-ordinator Lesley Grant on hand to pick up the award.

BOPDHB volunteer co-ordinator Lesley Grant (right) receives the Health and Wellbeing category award from Trustpower chief executive Vince Hawksworth (left) and Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby (centre). Photo: Supplied.

'I am so proud of everyone involved and the volunteers most of all,” Lesley says.

'This is the first year we've entered and just to be shortlisted meant we were winners already. That was such an honour but then to actually win our category was just amazing and I still can't quite believe it.”

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby and Trustpower chief executive Vince Hawksworth presented the awards at the Tauranga Golf Course last night.

The service has grown substantially in the last year. Just a year ago, the service had 24 volunteers – today they number 104.

In her Health and Wellbeing category introduction Trustpower community relations representative Jess Somerville paid tribute to the service.

'Without the winner of our Health and Wellbeing category this place would be very different,” says Jess.

'They are the friendly faces that greet you at the door and arrive with a cup of tea at just the right moment.

'Dozens of people give their time at Tauranga Hospital and they help to ensure the place runs like clockwork.

'These volunteers bring warmth and genuine empathy to often stressful situations. They give their time, energy, enthusiasm and skills and we, the community, are truly grateful for this dedication.”

In total, Trustpower gave away over $5,000 to various community groups through the awards, with House of Science Tauranga winning the Supreme Award on the night.