Wanganui Enterprises received $20,000 to upgrade its workshop. Photo / NZME
Wanganui Enterprises received $20,000 to upgrade its workshop. Photo / NZME
Community and sporting organisations across Whanganui are the recipients of more than $150,000 in grants from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) this month.
NZCT donates the net proceeds from gaming machines at a number of bars and restaurants around the district to charitable, philanthropic, cultural, or sporting causes.
InWhanganui, the biggest beneficiary of the latest grants was the Whanganui Riverboat Restoration and Navigation Trust, the operator of the paddle steamer Waimarie.
The trust received a total of $50,000 to put towards costs associated with slipway preparation.
Netball Whanganui also received a substantial grant of $44,000 for a number of salaries as well as a defibrillator and wall box.
Te Kaihau O Kupe Waka Ama received a $30,000 grant to put towards equipment, and the Wanganui Enterprises Trust was given $20,000 for the same purpose.
The Wanganui Enterprises Trust provides rehabilitation, training and employment for people living with disabilities, employing 33 people in its London St factory.
General manager John Maslin said the grant would go a long way in assisting the group modernise its factory.
"This trust has been in existence for 40 years, and it's hard for us to be able to purchase and modernise the equipment that we use. The machinery that we've got is very dated, and it's very noisy."
"Our neighbours will definitely be appreciative of this grant."
Hockey Wanganui also got a grant, receiving $34,600 to fund a turf groomer as well as salaries for a development officer and operations manager.
Former Black Stick and Hockey Wanganui operations manager Robbie Matthews says the grant given to the group will go a long way. Photo / NZME
A large portion of the grant will go towards the development officer role, aiming to grow the game among children across the district.
"We want to target schools that haven't had the opportunity to play," operations manager Robbie Matthews said.
"We are wanting to get into the lower decile schools for example, to get kids enthused about the game.
"We want to keep our fees to a point where people can still play and it's open to everyone. We don't want it to be a financial burden."
Matthews said without the funding from the trust, the group would struggle to stay above water.
