Luck back for South Waikato Menzshed after tool theft
Deflation has returned 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. It blew me away when out of the blue Trinity Lands sustainability general manager Brett Fleming rang and said hed heard about our plight and that theyd like to give a donation of $5000, he said. READ MORE: * Tool thieves hit South Waikato charity shed * Coronavirus: Closed op shops could see charities out of pocket by millions * Retired South Waikato men to get Tokoroa shed Its a lot of money, its bloody amazing. Our replacement tools have just arrived and they are now all security proofed and traceable so hopefully this wont ever happen again." Fleming said after reading about the theft on Stuff , he 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, he said. The important thing I think is that you have to have momentum in life so when everything stops and you have to start again it is really demoralising. The money comes from our local dairy farmers so it is great that it will be staying within the community. We are very fortunate that we are able to do this. He said the sheds 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 dont have the tools, he said. The Menzshed reaches out into the community, its about passing on skills and now it has the potential to reach even further. 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 wont be surprised if we dont, 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. Douglas said the shed is now focusing on preparing for the official opening. He thanked Trinity Lands for the donation. We cant believe our luck, its wonderful and good that the stuff is going to be well used.