Toyota helps patrol the community

A HELPING HAND: Members of the Wanganui Community Patrol gather round Wanganui Toyota chief executive Richard Nessling and wife Michelle, presenting a cheque for $2000 to Patrol chairman Patrick O'Leary. PICTURE / PAUL BROOKS

A few years ago the former manager of Wanganui Toyota, Marty O'Fee, formed a relationship with Wanganui Community Patrol.
"He organised a vehicle for them, a Toyota Camry," says current Wanganui Toyota chief executive Richard Nessling, "And we used to give them $100 a month for fuel."
Then Richard and his wife Michelle attended a Community Patrol annual meeting.
"We sat there and saw the money going in and the money going out, and how little they do get. I thought the easiest thing to do was, instead of $1200, let's round it up to $2000 and give them a cheque straight away so they've got the money in the bank. The other thing I've done with the Community patrol is because their 50 members do everything for nothing, if they want their Warrants of Fitness done or service on their car, they'll get a discount as soon as they walk in here. They're looking after the community; we want to look after them."
Richard and Michelle are firm believers in buying local and supporting local businesses.
So when Wanganui Community Patrol needed another car, Richard organised it and obtained the vehicle at cost for them.
The Patrol stores their cars at Wanganui Toyota where the keys are kept secure and available at all times. "We do security for them at the same time," says Patrol chairman Patrick O'Leary. "We just have a general look around when we come in."
The $2000 is an annual donation and the Patrol's cars are serviced by Wanganui Toyota with no charge for labour.
Richard has also organised a fundraising event at Stellar for the Patrol.