Generous lawyer gives festive appeal a $5000 boost

Paul Tustin is donating $5000 to the Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal. Photo / George Novak

The Bay of Plenty Times Christmas Appeal has been given a $5000 boost thanks to the generosity of a local lawyer.

Cooney Lees Morgan partner and TECT trustee Paul Tustin is donating the money to the Tauranga Community Foodbank as part of the appeal.

"When I ran for TECT, one of the things I said I'd do is I'd donate my trustee fees to charity. I'm just accumulating my fees over time and now I've got a lump sum and I've decided I'd do something with it," he said. "I've got about $5000 and I've decided I'd donate it to the foodbank."

Mr Tustin said it was a a "no brainer" that he would choose the foodbank as it was a "fantastic cause".

"It's that whole concept of how awful it would be to not be about to put food on the table as a parent. Christmas is a time when probably the difference between the have and the have nots is probably the greatest. Hopefully this will make a difference."

It was the generosity of others who had contributed to the appeal so far that encouraged him to get involved, Mr Tustin said. "It's quite motivational seeing what other people have done like Michelle Senkus and the team here [from Cooney Lees Morgan] rustling up enthusiasm for a can drive."

Ms Senkus had all the tenants of the ANZ building on Elizabeth St competing to see who could collect the most donations. The group collected 1503 items as well as cash donations.

Foodbank chairman Alan Plunkett said the donation would go a long way in helping them keep their shelves stocked.

"We buy a considerable portion of the product we give out. We get some brilliant deals from retailers. Cash coming in is crucial," he said.

"We have buying power through some of our contacts that the people who have the cash don't have. For $5 they might be able to get two cans of spaghetti. For that we might be able to get three."

The new cookbook the foodbank was giving to customers meant there were certain items that had to be in each food parcel so people could cook the meals suggested, Mr Plunkett said.

"$5000 is significant for us."

So far about 4000 items, valued at $2 each, have been donated as well as $10,993 bringing it to a total of almost $19,000 in donations.