The team from St Chad's. Photo/Supplied
When you have 500 plumbers and electricians in one place, it makes sense to bring them together and make a difference in the lives of those who need a bit of help.
Laser Plumbing & Electrical staff from across Australia and New Zealand will converge on St Chads in Rotorua as part of the company's transtasman conference LaserCon 2018 in June.
The tradies and their families will spend a day at St Chads fixing plumbing and electrical issues in the facility, as well as performing general maintenance on the site.
The Laser Group identified St Chads as the recipient of its annual Taskforce project after contacting the Geyser Community Foundation who helps many of the region's charitable organisations.
Foundation executive officer Annette Burgess said it was delighted to have been asked to help identify a worthwhile local charity.
"Community foundations understand the impact that informed charitable giving can have on good causes and organisations now, and forever. We connect people who care with causes that matter to help build better communities for the long term."
Established in 1984, St Chads provides services to people aged from 16 to 64 who are living with various disabilities. Providing resources, training, life skills and connection programmes, activities are designed to enable clients to engage with the local community and achieve regular life outcomes many take for granted.
Laser Plumbing & Electrical focus on creating sustainable solutions to issues facing non-profit organisations, enabling them to decrease running costs through energy efficiency and update equipment which may have been on their wish list.
Since 2010 the group has completed work valued at more than $700,000 to charitable organisations in cities hosting its annual conference including Plunket, Cholmondeley Children's Centre, Habitat for Humanity and the Mental Health Foundation in New Zealand as well as the Gold Coast Youth Services, Variety - the Children's Charity and beyondblue in Australia.
Laser Group New Zealand general manager Scott Carr said he was excited by what the group would be able to achieve for St Chads.
"Having visited St Chads and assessed the work required, our team of plumbers, electricians and their families will make a huge difference to the quality of service that St Chads is able to provide to their clients.
"In addition to the services, helping the organisation save money in the long term by making their buildings more energy efficient is something we are extremely pleased to be able to help with."
Also helping at the St Chads project is champion race car driver Steve Richards.
Richards is the Laser Ambassador and is looking forward to meeting the clients and
signing autographs.
St Chad's centre manager Nicky Mayne was overwhelmed by the offer of support.
"We know that providing great outcomes to people with disabilities in Rotorua is not something we can do alone, it requires a community of people willing to do what they can to make a difference.
"We are so thankful for the generosity of the Laser Group for being willing to use their time and skills, to support what we do."