Donation puts smile back on tradie’s face

Hardware store and big brands replace apprentice’s stolen tools

SAM Brayshaw (left) barely had time to bask in the afterglow of winning HIA Apprentice of the year before thieves brought him right back to earth, stealing his tool trailer. Thanks to Cairns Hardware, the budding carpenter with MiHaven, is back in action with a donation of $2000 worth of tools. Cairns Hardware sales account manager Chris Atkins (back left) and MiHaven director James Mort check out the new tools.

A CAIRNS hardware store has come to the rescue for an accomplished tradie.

HIA Apprentice of the Year Sam Brayshaw had his tool trailers stolen soon after winning the accolade three weeks ago.

The 21-year-old is a third year apprentice carpenter with MiHaven and only noticed the tools were gone after getting ready for work that day.

“I walked out to my car and noticed my trailer was missing,” Mr Brayshaw said.

“Once I saw that, I really started to freak out because that’s my livelihood – I need my tools to work.”

He soon called police and tried everything to get those tools back, but to no avail.

“I was really angry because how could someone do such a thing?” Mr Brayshaw said.

That’s where Cairns Hardware sales account manager Chris Atkins stepped in.

“I actually look after MiHaven, the apprentice workforce,” Mr Atkins said.

“I work pretty closely with the guys on site.”

After hearing about Mr Brayshaw’s dilemma, he teamed up with Makita, Paslode and other community organisations to help him.

“Coming from a trade background myself – it gets a bit personal when someone takes your tools,” Mr Atkins said.

“I was pretty gutted; it’s a general consensus among all tradespeople that you don’t take people’s tools.”

Thanks to his work, Mr Brayshaw was given a Makita cordless drill/impact driver kit and Paslode gas framing/finishing nailer – all worth $2000.

“Apprentices are the future builders and tradespeople,” Mr Atkins said. “It was a good opportunity to support him.”

Mr Brayshaw was informed by his boss only last week about the gesture.

“It really lifted a lot of weight off me knowing I didn’t have to spend thousands of dollars on tools,” he said.

“I feel really good – knowing everyone is willing to help.”

He’s thankful for Cairns Hardware, Makita and Paslode for their support.

“I’d like to thank the community for supporting me and sharing the post to help try to find out where my tools went.”

Picture: ANNA ROGERS GOOD TURN: Cairns Hardware sales representative Chris Atkins and MiHaven director James Mort with MiHaven apprentice and HIA Apprentice of the Year Sam Brayshaw, whose tool trailer was stolen just after he won the award. A joint effort provided Mr Brayshaw with the equipment to get back on the job.