Deflation has turned to motivation at the South Waikato Menzshed.
Weeks after thieves stole close to $4000 worth of brand-new tools from the Tokoroa branch of the charity before it could even officially open, the shed has received a $5000 donation from New Zealand agriculture and horticulture business Trinity Lands Limited to replace them.
Chairman Graeme Douglas said although the theft came as a significant blow, after preparing for months to get the shed up and running, the donation now means they can get back on track.
SOURCE: Stuff.co.nz and the South Waikato News.
New security-proofed, traceable tools
“It’s a lot of money, it’s bloody amazing. Our replacement tools have just arrived and they are now all security-proofed and traceable so hopefully this won’t ever happen again.”
Graeme Douglas
“It blew me away when out of the blue Trinity Lands sustainability general manager Brett Fleming rang and said he’d heard about our plight and that they’d like to give a donation of $5000.”
Graeme Douglas,
South Waikato Menzshed Chairman
After reading about the theft, Brett immediately wanted to help
“I was on my way to Tauranga when I read the story so I sent it off to my chief executive saying maybe we should do something and he came back that quickly saying to make it $5000.”
Brett Fleming, Trinity Lands sustainability general manager
Fleming said the shed’s desire to give back to the community via offering fellowship for men, sharing of skills, and though its work on projects for the likes of Hospice and Red Cross, sat well with Trinity Lands.
“I think we all have an innate ability or desire to create and repair yet often people say they could do something but they don’t have the tools. The Menzshed reaches out into the community, it’s about passing on skills and now it has the potential to reach even further,” he said.
Treasurer Bob Deacon said police are yet to apprehend those responsible for the theft, but the shed was ready to get on with things. “I have given them all the information we have but if we do hear anything I think we will be very very lucky. I won’t be surprised if we don’t,” he said.
“We lost momentum due to the lockdown and then this happened but now we have it back and can get into things again.”
Bob Deacon,
South Waikato Menzshed Treasurer
“We can’t believe our luck, it’s wonderful and good that the stuff is going to be well used.”
Douglas said the shed is now focusing on preparing for the official opening. He thanked Trinity Lands for the donation.
