-
Chris O'Connor - Source: ONE News -
Related
Chris O'Connor is a man who saw something wrong in his community, and instead of shrugging it off decided to do something about it.
But the truckie needed help from lots of people to get ahead and to ask for it was a big step.
The main road north out of New Plymouth is a popular route, but some people never make it out of Taranaki. O'Connor drives the road five times a week and he says truckies are the eyes and ears of the road.
Of all the calls for help made after the 160 crashes on the road in the past five years, none have been made from a cell phone because North Taranaki is a cellphone dead zone.
"We pay a lot of money for service, it's something I think we should all expect if we are paying for it," says O'Connor who contacted a newspaper in an effort to get something done.
Journalist Gordon Brown says he was curious and then Richard Burton from St John got on board, believing the campaign could save lives.
Burton says time is vital for the seriously injured and the sooner emergency services can get there, the better so Brown began putting pen to paper.
"It got to the stage nearly every week I was in the paper," says O'Connor.
And when 7000 people signed the petition for a cellphone tower the movers and shakers in Auckland had to take notice and in a few weeks Mokau will have cellphone coverage.
"We at Vodafone thought we would get behind him and support him and make this site come alive for him," says spokesman Mike Davies.
O'Connor has Asperges Syndrome, meaning he's happiest communicating with his fingers. So he has never met Brown or anyone else involved in his campaign.
But it doesn't matter. Chris O'Connor is a good sort and one day perhaps a life saver.
Do you know someone who is a "good sort" that ONE News
should talk to? Click
here
to nominate
them
Share your thoughts on the series and the people featured
on the message board.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentRuralWomenNZ said on 2011-06-17 @ 09:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hey! We thought you might be interested in the aftersocks projects that will raise money for the Chch Mayoral Fund. The idea came from two Cantabrian sisters called Justine and Jo Ottey. Check out the website www.aftersocks.co.nz from the 20th June or www.facebook.com/aftersocks.
Jazz1 said on 2010-05-24 @ 14:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Love this segment! What great people!
margi21 said on 2010-04-07 @ 21:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I have this guys heart i would be dead if it wasent for him , thanks barry !
Jankeal said on 2009-12-25 @ 23:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tim is my father and i'd just like to say that i'm proud of what he does bringing happiness to others lives and yet still finds time to talk and see his grandchildren. For a man who's had it rough the last 2-3 years it hasn't slowed him down and he still has time for everyone. Good on you dad/Pop!
TheHoltens said on 2009-12-21 @ 11:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The piece about Mark Granthams brought tears to my eyes. What an inspirational young man. Has made me look at myself and realise what little I do for the wider community. Thanks Mark :)