A Kaitangata man was honoured at the weekend receiving a Sport Maker Award for his volunteer efforts.
Dallas Storer was officially given his Sport Maker Award by Lotto NZ in its "Thank a Sport Maker'' programme.
Mr Storer received the award for volunteering his time to organise and help build the recently completed Skate Park in Kaitangata.
Ten people are selected from across the country every three months to receive the "Sport Maker'' award but only one also receives an additional prize decided by public vote, which Mr Storer won.
Kaitangata resident Gwenda Nyhon, who nominated Dallas for the award, reportedly took to the streets handing out fliers to encourage locals to vote for him online.
Mrs Nyhon said she was in awe of what Mr Storer had achieved.
She described him as "the man'' and was impressed to see him change from "ratbag to hero''.
She said while the award was for his volunteer work creating the skate park, Mr Storer was involved in much more and had helped transform the town.
More than 100 people met at the Kaitangata Town Hall on Sunday to see Mr Storer receive the award.
Mr Storer said he preferred not to be in the public eye and would rather be in the background.
To receive such public recognition and support was "quite humbling''.
He was not looking for any attention when he did the volunteer work.
"It's nice to be able to give something back to the community.''
Receiving the award was kind of a "thank you'' to all the people he had helped.
Lotto NZ gave $2000 worth of sports equipment to Mr Storer and the BMX club.
The "Thank a Sport Maker'' programme is a partnership between Lotto NZ and Sport New Zealand to reward volunteers and thank them for what they do.
