Garage sit-in to aid French Red Cross

Z petrol station worker Nathan Little will be holding a 48-hours sit-in fundraiser for the French Red Cross. Photo / George Novak

A Bay man says he has been so affected by the tragic loss of life in Paris that he plans to drape himself in the French flag and hold a two-day fundraising sit-in for the French Red Cross.

Z Palm Beach service station customer service rep Nathan Little, 24, said from 7am on Friday he would begin his 48-hour sit-in fundraiser at his Domain Rd workplace.

Mr Little said when he told his bosses what he planned they immediately gave him the thumbs up.

"So many people have commented on Facebook about the attacks and posted messages of condolence and support, which is great but taking some action is better," he said.

"My mind cannot fathom how those who lost loved family and friends in Paris must be feeling. It really saddens me. We all have the power to do something which can make a difference."

Mr Little said raising funds for French Red Cross was a practical, realistic and meaningful way to help.

Among his group of friends was one who had left Paris just before the attacks, another who was in Paris and okay, and another who arrived in Paris on Monday, he said.

"So my thoughts are very much with them and with France."

Mr Little said during the sit-in he would drape himself in a French-inspired clothing and a flag, which a Whakatane store had agreed to donate.

He had contacted New Zealand Red Cross officials who referred him to the website ammado.com to donate any funds raised. It was also the site people could use to donate online, he said.

Mr Little said he wanted to hold his fundraiser in a public place and thought where better than his workplace where there was steady stream of customers and an eftpos machine for donors to use.

He also intended to set up a Give A Little page, and hoped his fundraiser would encourage other people to take action for the cause, he said.

Emmanuelle Heatley, the Bay of Plenty interpreting service co-ordinator for the Tauranga Multicultural Council, said none of her family and friends in France were caught up in the attacks.

Mrs Heatley said the over-riding fear was not if, but when the terrorist group would strike again.

"Are the terrorists just waiting for the dust to settle? While there is heavy security at the airport and train stations many people cannot wait to get off the planes and trains," she said.

Mrs Heatley said she had been blown away by the many gestures of support for France from all over the world, including from Tauranga.

"It's been tremendous and personally means a lot to me... and to France."

-To donate to the French Red Cross go to www.ammado.com.