Trustpower donates new car for Te Puke's Night Owl community patrol

Te Puke Community Patrol chairman Geoff Mutton and Trustpower community relations representative Abbie Siely. Photo/Supplied

The Te Puke Night Owl Community Patrol has received a much-needed boost to its operations with the donation of an updated vehicle from Trustpower.

Trustpower community relations representative Abbie Siely handed over the keys to Te Puke Community Patrol chairman Geoff Mutton this morning.

"The Te Puke Night Owls are the eyes and ears of the police in their community," Miss Siely said.

"Community patrols provide an invaluable service, with dedicated volunteers donating their time every day of the week to keep people and property safe.

"Having a reliable vehicle is essential to their success and Trustpower is delighted to be able to provide the group with an updated vehicle from our fleet."

Miss Siely said Trustpower previously donated a vehicle to the Te Puke Night Owls in 2009.

"Providing the group with an updated vehicle means they can sell their current one and put the proceeds towards the costs of mounting regular patrols and maintaining their new vehicle."

The vehicle donations are one of many ways Trustpower works to support the communities it operates in, and particularly volunteers, Miss Siely said.

"Being a part of the community is at the core of Trustpower's values as a company.

"In addition to vehicle donations, we provide marquees for the free use of community organisations, sponsor a number of regional community initiatives, and of course, run the Trustpower Community Awards that recognise the efforts of volunteers throughout New Zealand."

Volunteers devote two hours of their time, four or five times a week to the Te Puke Night Owls.

"It is a huge commitment and we hope the donation of a newer vehicle will help this group to continue their great work for the people of Te Puke," Miss Siely said.

Trustpower donates vehicles from its fleet to community organisations once they have reached 100,000km or are three years old and provides ongoing support with vehicle registration costs.

There are currently 36 ex-Trustpower vehicles in use by community organisations around New Zealand, including community patrols, SPCAs, hospices and Life Education Trusts.