Trust to aid schools

LAUNCH: Members of the trust with pupils from Somerset School. PHOTO: KARLA KARAITIANA

A new scheme launched in The Square last Friday will serve as a way of providing much needed funds to two low decile schools.

The Peter Wilson Trust was launched after Peter Wilson, who was the manager of Kitchen Things Palmerston North, died suddenly last year.

Mr Wilson was well known in the community and was a longtime member of the Takaro Rotary Club. It was here friends say he worked tirelessly for his community and the children in it.

Kitchen Things founder Mark Jones says Mr Wilson's death was a shock and he immediately wanted to honour his memory.

"Peter lived for community. We knew that whatever we did it had to honour his work with our company as well as his work with Rotary."

He says Mr Wilson and his love for the next generation inspired him and he is now committed to contributing funds and personal time into the trust for the next 10 years.

Mr Wilson's two children, Emma and Joseph, will help to oversee the trust and Mr Jones hopes it will also help them through their grief.

"I can't imagine how it feels to lose a parent so young. We hope that the work this trust does with the children will help make that journey a little easier."

Takaro Rotary president Don Searle says Mr Wilson and the club have been reading to children at Takaro School each week for almost 15 years. They were looking forward to using the trust to build a similar relationship with Somerset School.

"Takaro School estimates our reading in schools has improved the literacy levels of students by two years. We want to do the same for Somerset students so they get the best possible start to life."

Somerset School principal Teena Johnson assured Mr Wilson's family that the funds would be used to the pupils' advantage and was humbled to have her school named on the trust deed.

"We are so grateful to be named on something that is so personal to your family. This will open up opportunities for these children and make a real difference to them, their families and the wider community.

"Thank you for acknowledging us through your dad, your colleagues and your club."