Kaiapoi fire inspires community support

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A Kaiapoi-based business is giving back to the community.

Sutton Tools’ Kaiapoi factory was gutted by a fire in January last year and plant manager Glenn Morgan says the company wanted to give back after the support his staff received following the fire.

Sheffield Group, which owned Sutton Tools, donated $10,000 to the Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust, after the trust’s Kaiapoi Community Support office supported Sutton Tools families with food parcels and other support services.

‘‘We didn’t know much about them, so we paid them a visit and they showed us around,’’ Morgan said.

‘‘It was great going to see them and to see the help they are trying to do in the community.’’

Community Wellbeing is a collaboration involving the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils, with Kaiapoi Community Support based in the Waimakariri District Council-owned Kaiapoi Community Centre.

Trust manager Deirdre Ryan said it was a privilege to assist Sutton Tools' employees in the aftermath of the factory fire.

‘‘This donation from the company was totally unexpected and I feel honoured to receive it.

"These much-needed funds will support other North Canterbury families and individuals in need.

‘‘We simply couldn't do what we do it without the generosity of community-minded businesses like Sutton Tools.’’

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said Community Wellbeing played a valuable role in the community.

‘‘It is a generous donation from Sutton Tools, and knowing Wellbeing, I know they will put it to good use.

‘‘Like all our social agencies, Wellbeing plays a critical role in the community and Kaiapoi Community Support does so much for the community with the food bank and in all the other work they do.’’

Morgan said Sutton Tools would look to provide ongoing support, such as donating products to be raffled.

‘‘We like what Community Wellbeing is doing and they are helping people to find jobs and we will be looking to hire more people.’’

Since the fire, Sutton Tools has continued to operate, on a reduced scale, from its Kaiapoi site, using the engineering building, which survived, and by converting a storeroom.