Everyday Heroes - Gordon & Debbie

Gordon Irving is so passionate about ensuring children at Lincoln Heights School get a healthy start to their day that he not only mans the KickStart Breakfast club, but every Thursday he leads a walking school bus that finishes right at the dining room door.

“That way they’re not only getting a nutritious breakfast, but they get a bit of exercise as well,” he says. Working as both the school caretaker and as facilitator of the KickStart Breakfast club at the decile three school in Auckland means Gordon’s days can be pretty long, but he doesn’t mind one bit. He says he enjoys working with the children and giving back to the school community.

“I love to be able to have that interaction with the children, they are great kids. So many schools nowadays have mainly female staff so having a positive male influence at school is something a lot of children miss out on. I’m happy to be able to spend time with them and be there if they need someone to talk to” Gordon began volunteering for the breakfast club with his wife, Karen, six years ago.

“I’m happy to be able to spend time with them and be there if they need someone to talk to”Gordon Irving, Lincoln Heights School Caretaker.

Back then breakfasts were supplied solely as donations of food from parents and other members of the local community. With finances tight for many families over the past few years, donations started to dry up and that’s when the school began their partnership with Fonterra and Sanitarium to provide Weet-Bix and

Anchor milk to the 20 children who visit the KickStart Breakfast club. “Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to give these children such a good start. It’s not just about the food either. A lot of them like to be able to come in and sit down and chat with their friends in a cosy setting.”

The positive spinoffs can be seen in the classroom too. Teachers at Lincoln Heights have noticed an improvement in the concentration levels of children who have had a good breakfast, compared to those who haven’t.

“Their attitude is better too,” says Gordon. “Sometimes if a child is playing up it can be because they haven’t eaten, so the teacher will send them up to the dining room and we’ll make them a bowl of cereal. It works really well.”

Crockery and cutlery have been donated from parents and members of the local community and staff at the school who take turns helping Gordon serve up breakfast.