Retailer urges others to donate too

Shaken by the mine tragedy on the West Coast, Tauranga retailer Brian Molloy is donating some of his turnover to the Pike River mining families.
"To hit right on Christmas when people spend more time with their families, it's gut-wrenching. When I watched the news after the second explosion, I just knew they needed support," said Mr Molloy, who owns Molloy's Suit and Menswear in Devonport Rd.
He and his general manager, Jason Dovey, will donate part of the store's turnover during the next four weeks of business.
Mr Molloy will send a cheque to the Grey District Council Mayor Tony Kokshoorn on December 22, and he hopes it will be in the vicinity of $3000-$4000. "I want him [Mr Kokshoorn] to spread it among the families so they can get a few goodies they normally wouldn't have. A tragedy like this can hit anyone and being a small country we feel it a bit more."
Twenty-nine miners were declared dead after a second explosion rocked the Pike River coal mine on Wednesday. "A whole nation was watching it on television and everyone was hoping for a good outcome like the Chilean mine. But after the build-up of some hope, it really turned to custard, didn't it?" said Mr Molloy, one of Tauranga's longest-serving retailers. He has had his own business for 18 years but has been in menswear for 44 years after earlier working for Bay Outfitters and Warnocks.
Mr Molloy is challenging other local businesses to make donations to the Pike River mining families.
"We are community minded and tragedies affect people in different ways," he said. Mr Molloy earlier donated $5000 to Project Hope.
Tauranga's Altrusa Club is also throwing its support behind the families who lost loved ones at Pike River.
The club will donate to the families the proceeds of its annual Christmas cake raffle, which was held during its production at the 16th Avenue Theatre on Friday.