Some lucky bay youngsters will benefit from a recent hive of activity in Santa's Tauranga workshop, with members of the Men's Shed busying themselves with the manufacture of a range of children's toys in time for Christmas.

The toy making was made possible thanks to a $5000 grant from Legacy Trust to ensure that families in need are given some Christmas cheer.

Men's Shed members Neville Abbott, Allan Brammer and Dave Harper are joined by Gabrielle Johnson and Mike Savage. Together they are proudly displaying some of the toys made for the Legacy Trust Christmas toy project.

'The toys are destined for families who may not have the opportunity to fund presents for their children,” says Gabrielle Johnson, a Trustee of the Men's Shed.

'They are distributed by St Vincent de Paul who work with the families to provide valuable support at a time which can be stressful for many people.”

The toys are crafted from a range of new and recycled wood as well as assorted bits and pieces, according to Dave Harper who works at the Men's Shed.

'We use anything that's donated to us – whatever it is we'll find a use for it in the manufacture of our toys,” says Dave.

'The local pre-school groups give us the ideas and we set about building items of interest for that age group.”

To date the Men's Shed has manufactured a shed filled with toys for the Legacy Trust project including miniature airplanes, stoves, wheelbarrows, train sets, trucks, boats, prams, chairs, and blackboards.

'The men just enjoy tinkering around here and using their skills,” says Dave.

'We're all handymen who enjoy the camaraderie of the workshop and the opportunity to work with organisations who need our expertise.”

Dave Harper is a boot maker by trade and a builder and joiner. His colleagues cover the spectrum of professions from grocers, jewellers, saw doctors, truck drivers and engineers and all share a passion for helping the community.

'The collaboration between Legacy Trust, the Men's Shed and St Vincent de Paul is an important partnership for this project,” says Mike Savage from Legacy Trust, who officially opened the shed four years ago.

'We have been supporting the Men's Shed from the beginning and it's heartening to see the positive impact they have made to the people in this city.”