Santa’s helpers in need of a Christmas miracle

Volunteer elves have given thousands of wooden toys to many deserving children across Canterbury for 50 years.

But this year the volunteers at the Santa Claus Workshop Charitable Trust are hoping their wish for a permanent home will come true.

The hunt for a new base began in December last year after the technology block at Shirley Intermediate School was demolished.

The old school building was home to the workshop for almost 10 years.

Since then, many volunteers have been working from home to get about 1100 handmade toys ready for the festive season.

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From cars to wheelbarrows and wooden chairs to cots for dolls, they craft a wide range of toys using high-quality timber.

While some only take a few hours to complete, more intricate toys can take up to 20 hours.

Trust chairman Stewart Williams said the workshop’s elves might not be able to produce the toys next year if they cannot find a new home.

Andrew Grant, Alistair McDonald and Neil Pugh making toys at the trust’s former Shirley Intermediate School base before it was demolished. Photo: John Cosgrove

The worst-case scenario would see the trust forced to take a break from toy-making.

“We really don’t have much option," Williams said.

"We’re still actively looking with the council, but we haven’t had much luck to date.

“It’s not practical going forward from our perspectives ... various toys are made by more than one person, so it’s not just the matter of cutting it out with a jigsaw or something like that.”

The search for a new site has been difficult - but Williams said the trust is not alone.

“I know most volunteer groups are also struggling with the same issue.”

In August last year, the workshop was offered a vacant site at 280 Westminster St by Christchurch City Council.

However, the site was vandalised beyond repair a week before the equipment and tools were moved in.

Stewart Williams with some of the toys that will be given to deserving children this Christmas. Photo: Rhyva van Onselen

Said Williams: “They trashed the place, smashed all windows, and tore out all the wiring.

"Basically made the building uninhabitable.

“It restricted us from being able to support people that need help in our society.

"We just want to be able to make toys to make kids happy."

City council head of city growth and property Bruce Rendall said it has tried to help the trust find a new home.

“Unfortunately, the council has few vacant buildings and those it does have are generally being held for broader site redevelopment, such as park enhancements.”