Rivals lend hand after blaze

Stellar manager Peter Ellicott, who has organised fundraising quizzes for staff affected by the fire at Caroline's Celtic Bar. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 161013WCSMPETER - ELLICOTT1

Staff from the Caroline's Celtic Bar are coping well in the wake of the fire that destroyed the popular Wanganui bar last month.

They have been buoyed by the fundraising efforts of one of their competitors, bartender Dan Steer says.

Mr Steer said owner Caroline Norton had created a wonderful work environment that allowed her staff to feel more like family than merely work colleagues.

"We still keep in contact, we still have get-togethers every now and then," he said.

He said the September 26 fire had been such a blow for the 28 full-time and part-time staff.

But many of the staff had been able to find work elsewhere in the city.

"Businesses have just been amazing at helping people get work. Some of them have agreed to take people on temporarily so they can go back to the Celtic once it's rebuilt," Mr Steer said.

Three staff members have been employed by one of the Celtic's competitors, Stellar Restaurant & Bar.

Not only that, but Stellar manager Peter Ellicott has organised two fundraising quiz nights to help out the Celtic's staff members and their families ahead of Christmas. "It's just terrific that they're helping out like that," Mr Steer said.

Mr Ellicott said the quiz nights were proving popular, although there was room for a few more teams.

The quiz nights will be held on November 22 and 29. There are spots left for two teams on the first night and nine teams on the second. Stellar has been holding quiz nights for various charities for the past eight months or so and raise about $1000 a night.

"When we thought 'what should we do' we knew we had all the tools to help them this way," said Mr Ellicott.

They are looking to raise $4000 from the two quiz nights.

Companies have pitched in to help with the fundraiser: the tickets were printed by Meteor Design and Print for free; Quay Copy Centre gave posters and other material and advertising has been free in the Chronicle.

Quiz night prizes and vouchers have been donated by Harvey Norman, Club Fitness, tattooist Dean Tepu, Auto Parts, Pulse Performance and Liquorland.

"Sorry if I have missed anyone, people have been very generous. We've got some big ticket items there and Ritesh Verma has offered to be the auctioneer on the night. Thanks to everyone for getting on board and there's's still time to help out," Mr Ellicott said.

Whanganui Police are investigating the cause of the fire.