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Arkles Bay truck driver Antony Pearce has got into the Christmas spirit early, inviting the community to join him at a free barbecue lunch by the beach on Christmas Day.
He says the idea grew from a barbecue he has put on for a couple of years for his mates who have no family in the country and would otherwise spend Christmas Day alone.
He began by using social media to invite anyone to come along and enjoy food and drinks and a few activities such as kayaking. Children are welcome, and small gifts will be provided for the little ones.
“I have friends from places like the Ukraine and Russia who are away from home and it made me think of all those others in the same position. It can be a hard time financially and also for others who are lonely. I just thought it would be a nice thing to do,” he says.
“It’s about letting people know that there are genuinely good people out there. The butcher has given a discount and a free meat pack as a giveaway, Skids that operates from KingsWay school has offered to donate gifts, and countless people are volunteering to help with setup and clean up,” he says. “One woman who is attending is in her 70s and her husband passed away earlier this year. A local has already offered her a ride to the barbecue.”
He says people are coming from all over Auckland, not only the Coast.
Originally Antony was going to fund this event himself, but when offers of donations flowed in on social media, he set up a Givealittle page called Community BBQ.
The event will be held in Dacre Cottage Historical Reserve in Okura, starting at 10am.
Information about the barbecue, including how to get to Dacre Cottage, are on this Facebook link – https://fb.me/e/2OzGy22wC – which also has a link to the Givealittle page.
Antony would like people to sign up to the Facebook page if they are coming, to help him estimate how much food will be needed, but people who just turn up on the day will also be welcome. Anyone bringing children should let him know, as small gifts will be provided.
