Western News: December 01, 2022

4
Thursday December 1 2022
Packed with the spirit of Christmas
• By Natalie Pham
THIS YEAR marks the fifth
annual Christmas giveaway by
Furnitoyz – a Hornby-based
company that makes children’s
toys and furniture by hand.
Furnitoyz has delivered a new
mud kitchen and 30 backpacks
filled with essential school supplies
to Pareawa Banks Avenue
School, after the school was the
lucky winner of its giveaway.
Owner Michelle Dickie said it
was a chance to give back to the
community.
Since opening Furnitoyz, the
former pre-school teacher and
her husband Euan have been
trying to have a giveaway every
year.
“Last year we were watching
the news . . . and people were
struggling to get schoolbags
and all the bits and bobs that
go along with it to get kids into
school,” she said.
“So we thought this year, we
will see if we can do roughly a
classroom-size worth of schoolbags.”
The giveaway, which was
open to all schools across New
Zealand, received more than 150
entries.
Pareawa Banks Avenue School
principal Toni Burnside said it
was nice for some pupils to get a
bit extra at this time of year.
“We are proud of our school
and our tamariki. And it’s nice
GIVEAWAY: Ebony-Rose (left) and Claire, with two of the backpacks won by Pareawa
Banks Avenue School. Top right – Furnitoyz owner Michelle Dickie (left) with principal Toni
Burnside. Dickie delivered 30 backpacks and a new mud kitchen to the school.
to have that positive community
recognition. We know that when
our tamariki get those backpacks,
they will be so excited,”
she said.
Two pupils from each class
who represent the school’s values
will be selected to receive the
backpacks.
Burnside said there will also be
a small, added criteria.
“We know some of the children
in those classes need a wee
‘pick me up’. Things are tough
at the moment for families and
the community, so teachers will
be looking through that lens as
well.”
The new mud kitchen is now
ready to go, but has not yet been
installed in the school playground.
Said Burnside: “To get that
as part of the prize, it’s amazing.
Our juniors love playing with
water and pretending to make
plates.”
Last year, Furnitoyz also
donated three pallets of foods
and hygiene products to
Christchurch, Auckland and
Wellington city missions.
TRADE TOOLS &
CALL IN
AND SEE US
TODAY!
Mon to Fri 7am - 5pm
40 Hammersmith Dr, Wigram
Ph 03 982 0443
www.totalsitesupplies.co.nz
Coastal Pacific Tour
CHRISTCHURCH, KAIKOURA, PICTON,
MAIL BOAT, COASTAL PACIFIC TRAIN,
CHRISTCHURCH.
COST : $1,195.00 PER PERSON
(Price includes dinner, hotel room, breakfast, Mail Boat & Coastal Pacific Train)
CONTACT HUSBAND & WIFE TEAM
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PHONE : (03) 388 6588
FUI JIN - 027 2904 304 • RODGER - 027 4345 448
PICK UP AND DROP OFF AT FRONT GATE
OWN ROOM NO SHARING
3 DAYS
2 NIGHTS
TOUR DATES: 24/01/2023 - 26/01/2023;
20/02/2023 - 22/02/2023; 14/03/2023 - 16/03/2023
DAY ONE : CHRISTCHURCH - KAIKOURA
1. First stop will be at Fossil Point, Greta Valley for morning tea.
2. Second stop, Kaikoura for lunch.
3. After lunch, free time and overnight stay and dinner at Lobster Inn Motor Lodge.
DAY TWO : KAIKOURA - PICTON
1. Breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast, travel to The Store, Kekerengu for
morning tea.
2. Lunch at Picton and in the afternoon we will go onto the Magic Mail Run Cruise.
3. After Magic Mail Run Cruise will check in Yacht Club Hotel for overnight stay
and dinner.
DAY THREE : PICTON - CHRISTCHURCH
1. Breakfast at Hotel. After breakfast free walk about Picton and lunch.
2. After lunch we will on board the Coastal Pacific Train back to Christchurch.
3. Train will be arriving back to Christchurch at 7:30pm.
Upon arrival back in Christchurch, all passengers will be dropped off to
their place of residence.