It was a business idea that sprung out of COVID lockdown but now is being put to use to help the families of our returned soldiers.

Like so many businesses, the nationwide shutdown last year forced local fabricator Trojans Trays to think outside the box to keep money coming in the door. From ute trays, they switched to making hand sanitiser stands and then custom firepits.

And when Anzac Day marches were cancelled, the team at Trojan came up with a firepit design to honour the memory of our fallen soldiers and give a little back to their families.

“With the shutdown when you couldn't march and go to services we thought they would be great down the front of people's driveways for Anzac morning,” said Trojan’s Executive Director Greg Robinson, referring to ‘Light up the Dawn’ movement, where people were urged to mark Anzac Day at home by lighting candles in their driveways at sunrise.

In the lead up to this Anzac Day, Trojan has partnered with the Orange Ex-Services Club to give away five of their Anzac firepits.

Club members can enter the competition every time they swipe their card on entry. The five winners will then be drawn on Anzac Day.

“We love supporting local businesses and pre-COVID we were doing a giveaway of some description once a month and we usually work with a local business to help support and promote them in the club as well so it’s so good we are able to start doing that again and

it ties in with all of the Anzac Day stuff we will be doing,” said Orange Ex-Services Club marketing manager Ellie Eveleigh.

“We've got about 15 staff already wanting to buy one and a bunch of people at Wentworth have been enquiring about it already too!

Trojan are donating 10 per cent of the proceeds from every firepit to Legacy.

“We like to get out and do things in the community, work together as a community,” said Greg of Trojan’s regular charity work.

Trojan are regular supporters of Give Me Five for Kids and Pink Angels. Last Christmas they coordinated a present drive for the local women’s refuge.

On Australia Day, their efforts were recognised and Trojan Trays were named the 2021 recipient of the Business Philanthropy Award.