Horowhenua-Kāpiti gets new laptop donated after burglary

Bruce McCarrison from the Levin Cosmopolitian Club with a new laptop for Horowhenua-Kapiti Cricket Association, pictured with Chad Law (left) and Bailey Te Tomo.

Stripped of valuable office gear and thousands of dollars of playing equipment in a brazen burglary two months ago, the Horowhenua-Kāpiti Cricket Association was dealt a body-line blow.

But their sense of community has been somewhat restored by the generosity from some quarters as the association rebuilds stocks at the Basil Netten Indoor Centre at Donnelly Park.

It was given a boost when presented with a brand new laptop computer donated by Levin Cosmopolitan Club president Bruce McCarrison last week.

Association Community and Pathway Coordinator Chad Law said they were blown away by McCarrison's gesture.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by Bruce and the Levin Cosmopolitan Club. To go out of their way to contact us and replace a stolen item is heart-warming and reminds us that there are a lot of good people in this town," he said.

"We can't thank them enough for their kind gesture following what was a very challenging time for our association."

McCarrison said the Levin Cosmopolitan Club was passionate about supporting local youth particularly through sport, noting that they were the future of the town and the club.

He said the club was a long-time supporter of positive outlets for young people, such as sport, recognising how important it was for them to have constructive things to focus their energy on.

HKCA president David O'Brien said after hearing of the burglary Levin Cosmopolitan Club president McCarrison rang him to see what they could do to help.

"We have been overwhelmed with messages of support and offers of replacement cricket gear from people all over region."

Brent Congreve from BJ's Building and Property Maintenance had fixed the damaged caused by the forced entry and local plasterer and painter Danny Bruhn wasn't far behind in helping fix the mess.

He said Rob Easton from Corey's Electrical, who was Levin AFC junior manager, had also offered support.

"So it's awesome our wider sporting community have reached out to help."

Thieves made off with an estimated $15,000 worth of office equipment and playing gear in the robbery in early March. None of the gear has been recovered.

At the time, O'Brien said the burglary was devastating for HKCA, which had amassed a large amount of good quality playing and training equipment over the years.

"We're a non-profit organisation. We exist for the benefit of the community and the development of young players," he said.