The Limelight for Children's Charities stopped at the Kawarau bungy centre yesterday to surprise Mrs Read, who was nominated by one of her charity friends.
"I thought it was a joke when they told me to meet here," she said.
" I just said, 'Why?' Then I had the terrible idea I'd have to jump off the bridge."
Mrs Read was recognised for her work in setting up the Child Cancer Foundation in Central Otago in 1988 and her support for the cause ever since.
Mrs Read and foundation volunteers helped raise $400,000 to provide accommodation for families caring for their children while undergoing treatment for cancer in Dunedin.
The group helped raise the money over six months with fun and racing days and raffles.
"We [her family] went through the whole business in 1985 to 1987 [with their daughter].
One of the specialists asked if I thought there was a need for a support group and we realised there definitely was.
"We wanted to help parents who travelled down that path."
Mrs Read's work did not stop there.
She was president of the foundation's Otago and Southland division for five years, worked on the national executive for five years, was made a life member and is still active in the charity 20 years on.
"You do the things you do, not for reward, but because you want to do them."
Limelight tour co-ordinator Tim Porteous awarded Mrs Read a plaque, a lime tree, T-shirts for her grandchildren and invited her and her husband to a dinner celebrating all 20 local legends in Auckland on June 28.
