Andrew Bagshaw was volunteering in Ukraine car when his car was hit by an artillery shell. Photo: Supplied / Susan and Philip Bagshaw
A New Zealand aid worker killed in Ukraine is being recognised in both countries for his sacrifices.
Andrew Bagshaw was volunteering in the war-torn country in January when he and colleague Chris Parry attempted to rescue an elderly woman from Soledar, in an area of intense military action. Their car was hit by an artillery shell.
Andrew was considered missing for two weeks, before he was confirmed dead.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger will posthumously award him the Civic Peace Award at the inaugural Andrew Bagshaw Memorial T20 Cricket Match at Hagley Oval on Friday 10 November.
He said the award was very rare but Andrew's outstanding humanitarian service needed recognition.
"This is absolutely, certainly a special reason why it needs to be done.
"I'm very proud that he has come from Christchurch. Very sad at the sacrifice that he made, but it's a great way to recognise that effort.
Andrew's father Dr Philip Bagshaw said he and his wife Dame Susan Bagshaw were humbled by the award.
"[We're] delighted to hear that he's been awarded this way. He was a very humble chap. I don't know what he would have thought about it himself," he said.
"I think he would have been almost embarrassed, to think that anyone would think that way about [his work]."
Dr Philip Bagshaw said Dame Susan Bagshaw. Photo: RNZ
Philip told RNZ's Morning Report the award was ordinarily awarded at a civic ceremony "but it was thought this is rather more sombre and more serious and so they decided to tack it on the end of the cricket match".
Cricketing great Sir Richard Hadlee will hand the winners of the T20 match with a cup.
Philip said he hoped the day would be a family affair with music and dancing to entertain people.
"That's really what Andrew would have wanted more than anything."
He said his son had played cricket for a number of teams in Christchurch over the years and his old mates were forming one of the teams.
A street in the eastern Ukraine city of Kostiantynivka will also be named after Andrew to honour the people whose lives he saved there.
Philip said it was "completely out of the blue".
"We just got a phone call to say that this city, which is near Bakhmut, where apparently [Andrew] saved many lives, wanted to award him a street name, and would we please make a video to say that we wanted that to happen? So we did."
Philip said he and his wife would love to one day be able to walk down the street.
"Hopefully there'll be peace there one day."
Mauger said he spoke to Philip and Dame Sue after Andrew's body was found.
"They were both sitting there sort of absolutely shocked, of course, but they said they were never gonna be able to stop him. He was very resolute in what he wanted to do. He wanted to get over there and help and that's what he did. Sadly, he died doing what he wanted to do so his humanitarian input into the city, the country and the world for that matter, is something that needs to be recognised."
Mauger said Andrew did what other people would not. "He really put his life on the line."
