With more than 600kg of Lego taking up space in his garage, a passionate enthusiast has started a quirky social enterprise that is helping keep locals in their homes.
Kent Roberts began sourcing Lego six years ago, and his collection today is a far cry from the five-litre ice cream tub he had as a child.
Having converted his garage into a Lego room where be builds motorised Lego trains and planes, eight months ago Mr Roberts decided to begin a pre-loved Lego store, Charity Bricks, that doubled as a way to raise money for Aus Living Support at Nambour.
He donated 300kg of his own collection to kick things off and now has 20 55-litre tubs full of donated Lego that fellow enthusiasts can sift through to find the perfect piece for their collection.
Mr Roberts told Sunshine Coast News the store, which operates twice a week, had been popular since first opening.
“People can come in and buy individual pieces of Lego, pieces they have been hunting for to complete old Lego sets or parts they are looking for to create their own individual sets,” Mr Roberts said.
“It’s been pretty popular and we have had all ages come in, but 85 per cent of my clients are adults.
“We’ve had quite a few people come in and donate their Lego to us, which has been amazing.”
Mr Roberts said the donated goods were cleaned and sorted, and he replenished the tubs with about 20kg of Lego every week.
“The Lego gets washed and sanitised and dried and sorted and put into the tubs ready for sale,” he said.
“It takes a couple of hours. I sit and I take all of the non-Lego brands out of it.
“Everyone who comes through our room are very pure – it’s real Lego or nothing.”
Operating via a weigh-and-pay system, customers can get 100 grams of Lego for $5, or build a mini figure for $2. Extra accessories for the mini figures are five for $1.
Mr Roberts said all the money from the Charity Bricks store went directly to Aus Living Support’s programs, including its material aid and rental supplement programs.
“The rental subsidy scheme is where we help people with a portion of their rent,” he said.
“That could be anywhere from $30 to $200 a week and what that does is keep them in their homes and help prevent them from becoming homeless.”
Mr Roberts’ wife, Dessi Mitzeva – who is the charity’s marketing director – said Aus Living Support was started in 2018 by four locals.
The charity services the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Noosa, and she said the rental supplement program alone was helping about 18 families each week.
“The rental supplement program is open to anyone that is suffering rental stress through no fault of their own,” she said.
“Many of our clients are victims of domestic violence needing to establish their own home.
“Increasingly we are seeing elderly single women request help.”
Charity Bricks is open at 102 Howard Street, Nambour, every Tuesday from 9am to 4pm, and Saturday from 9am to noon.
Aus Living Support also has its op-shop at the same location, plus its Maroochydore op shop at 3/27 Evans Street.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
