The refurbishment of AMI stores in Christchurch led to half a truck-load of excess furniture being donated to a local school, much to the delight of the kids and even the school nurse.

When the continuing rollout of the new-look AMI stores in Christchurch resulted in surplus furniture and equipment, AMI New Brighton branch manager Phil Buckingham and his team made the call to donate it to nearby New Brighton Catholic School.

Phil said that Christchurch’s eastern suburbs had been among those most severely affected by the earthquakes and that, knowing the hardship their residents had been through, it made sense to offer some help when the opportunity arose. “We are close to the community and know how much the locals have been struggling out here,” he said.

“So when we found ourselves with excess furniture we took the opportunity to offer it to help out a local school.” Among the items donated were two fridges, several large round tables, trestle tables, chairs, a 32” TV and a curved mirror.

Principal of New Brighton Catholic Deb Daines welcomed the donation as she said it was always difficult to raise funds to purchase new equipment, and that they would have good use for the items.“One of the fridges will be for the hall, and the other for the parish as its fridge died just last week,” Deb said. As for the curved mirror?

“It is going to be perfect for our sickbay, as the lady that sits in sickbay will now be able to see around the corner and monitor the bed from her desk.”