Local Legend: Kay Guyton
Nelson Auto Glass Specialists Toby Bowden presents local Angel Kay Guyton with flowers and a Prezzy Card, for being an amazing ‘Local Legend’.
THIS WEEK’S LOCAL LEGEND Kay Guyton is a true ‘Angel in the Street’. Helping struggling locals with everything from acquiring birth certificates, donations of household items, personal items and food parcels, through to accommodation and connecting people with the right support network, Kay has worked tirelessly for decades to help people get back on track.
Over the last ten years Kay worked in collaboration with the Nelson Tasman Charitable Trust to reach those in need through her charity, Angel in my Street.
Unfortunately, though Kay is now back working on her own since the loss of funding late last year. Despite this, she has continued to help people as much as she can in a voluntary capacity, with the distribution of donated goods. “I was already helping around the area for fifteen years before that. I would just notice things around the area.
I am able to home in on high needs people that are living in our neighbourhood, break the ice with them, make a connection and build trust. These people are often very disconnected from the community. It is quite often the really simple stuff that they need but feel too embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help.”
With the help of other generous volunteers Kay continues to assist where she can. “It's the love of the people that keeps me going. My grandma was very community minded, and I am too. I still do it because there is such a big need for it. People can be so generous with their donations, my van is always full, and I am always doing deliveries. I distribute these pieces to where they will be best utilised.”
“I find it hard to ask for things myself. I am not very good at putting myself forward.
But I will move heaven and earth for other people.” Financially, Kay does everything off her own back but petrol vouchers, phone sponsorship or help toward the upkeep of her van will go a long way to help Kay continue to do what she does so well.
Contact Kay via [email protected]