Blue Door break-in’s silver lining
John Laing, pictured here, and wife Jane from Marlborough Motorcycle Riding school have ridden in to help save the day for Blue Door. Photo: Supplied.
The Blue Door on Seymour Street was broken into recently with thieves getting away with a haul of power tools.
But at the weekend John and Jane Laing at Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School swooped in to help, replacing tools taken with brand new ones.
For staff at the Blue Door, the move helped restore their faith in people again.
Tools used by volunteers to dismantle and recycle metal were taken by the thieves, leaving the store without an electric angle grinder, cordless drills and screwdrivers, spanners, a socket set, and adjustable wrenches.
For a store that gives back to the Marlborough Community it was a bitter blow.
Manager Bronwen Demmocks says the duo came into the shop on Friday morning and asked for a list of what was taken.
They returned a few hours later with replacements which was wonderful, Bronwen says.
Last year, Blue Door distributed $25,058.88 to not-for-profit organisations in Marlborough, including Picton Community Centre, RNZ Plunket Blenheim, Supporting Families Marlborough Trust and Renwick Menz Shed.
In the 20 plus years of operation, Blue Door has given out more than $80,000 in grants.
“We have a major point of difference from all the other charity shops in Marlborough in that all profits are given back to local not-for-profit organisations in need of extra funding.
“The goods we sell are generously donated and we sell furniture, beds, linen, kitchenware, books/magazines, clothing, outdoor and sporting equipment, fabric and wool, jewellery and plants.”
Applications for the current round of funding close at 2pm on Saturday May 6.