One of the most respected voluntary and charitable organisations has donated more than $1.27 million to local schools.
St George Charitable Trust is being wound up and its trustees unanimously agreed to give away its financial reserves to the cause of education.
Among the Trustees are Raghbir Singh (Chair), Gail Absolum (Vice Chair), Michael Clatworthy and Pam Walford.
Mr Singh said that a part of the liquidation process involved legally and fairly redistributing the remaining assets of the Trust back to the Papatoetoe community from where they originated.
“The trust received and approved applications from seven local primary schools. These funding grants provide all these schools with a long-lasting piece of educational infrastructure that can, and will be used by many current and future generations of Papatoetoe school children,” Mr Singh said in a statement.
The Beneficiaries
Following are the beneficiaries:
Holy Cross Primary School: $200,000 for project renovation of three classrooms and Cricket Wicket for children to practice
Papatoetoe Central Primary School: $200,000 for adventure playground construction and insulation; fitness trail construction and insulation; and all-weather, multi-use pitch construction and insulation
Papatoetoe East Primary School: $200,000 for School Transport, School Digital Sign, School Classroom Specialised Furniture, School environment and Stream Bank Development
Papatoetoe North Primary School: $176,573 for Artificial Surface
Papatoetoe South Primary School: $140,000 for Community Centre
Papatoetoe West Primary School: $158,369 Conversion of Dental Clinic to tech food teaching
Puhinui Primary School: $200,000 for building Music and Performance Arts Centre
Any remaining funds will be donated to Kidz First, Burns Unit for Children through the Middlemore Hospital.
“We are aware that these funds have come from generations of Papatoetoe residents through the previous Papatoetoe Licensing Trust, selling the old St George Tavern. As a board we had a strong desire to ensure that 100% of the limited funds that we have would be best used by the most people,” Mr Singh said.
