Woodturners’ toys bringing Christmas joy

TOY: Social service agency Te Hapara Family Services was delighted to receive toys from Gisborne Woodturners Club to be put into Christmas family care packages. Displaying some of the toys are, back row (from left): Lesley Smith and Jodie Hodgson. Front: Nicola Dimery, Mary Caughley, Nicole West and Rachel Norris. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Gisborne Woodturners Club deliver handmade toys to children who need them most every Christmas.

“What I most enjoy is the delight on the kids' faces,” club president Lynne Boulter says.

The club has been working on the toys since last Christmas.

This year they made a dolls house, cradles, planes, racecars and trucks to name a few.

Each toy is solid and robust, many are painted in vibrant colours and most are oiled with vegetable oil.

Club members have already started making toys for next year.

“I most enjoy seeing the faces of the woodworkers watching the kids play with their creations,” Barnardos service manager Chris Semmens says.

The toys are presented to Barnardos, Gisborne Hospital's Planet Sunshine children's ward, Hospice Tairāwhiti and the Salvation Army.

The club extended its generosity to another organisation this year, Te Hapara Family Services — a social service agency that provides for the community.

The toys will feature in its Christmas family care packages “filled with food, toys and love”.

“There's such a great need this year so we are extremely grateful to everyone who has helped support families in need this Christmas,” Te Hapara Family Services manager Nicola Dimery said.

The club is grateful to David Preddy from Resene for donating paint, Vince Richardson for donating timber and members Neville and Ann Tohill for their generous contributions.