T-shirts boost coastal charity

Clothing designers have managed to make at least some good out of the Rena disaster.

While the Rena and its cargo continue to blight the Bay of Plenty coastline, the clothing manufacturers, one a major New Zealand fashion label and the other an online Trade Me store, are using the image of the environmental disaster to raise money for charity.

Lower salesman Lex Mawson, said their T-shirt design, featuring an oil-soaked anchor and reading "Save Our Shores", was a collaboration with fellow Mount Maunganui company Diffuse, which screenprinted the shirts.

He said the design was perceived as a necessity for those involved.

"To be honest, we had to do it. We are Mount locals, the Bay of Plenty is our home.

"They printed it free of charge and it was one of their screenprinters who designed it," Mr Mawson said.

The T-shirt had sold well and all profits have gone to charity.

"It did well, we were really happy with it," Mr Mawson said. The Care for Our Coast fund received 100 per cent of what the makers raised, and the shops were encouraged to donate to the fund.

Most importantly, Mr Mawson said, the T-shirt made him proud, knowing it was helping the environment.

"That, more so than any other T-shirt, I get a thrill out of seeing someone wearing them," he said.

Screen-printer Euan James, of Mint Tees in Paraparaumu, has also created a Rena T-shirt, which he sells through online auction site Trade Me.

His design features a silhouette of the pre-snapped Rena on a lean, with globs of oil around it, and the single word "unacceptable".

Mr James said his design was born out of a concern for the environment and wanting to create a good design.

"I do a lot of topical stuff," he said. A proportion of each T-shirt sale was being sent to the Red Cross.