Bunnings to sizzle snags for Burma

by Lisa Morrison

May 21, 2008

HANDYPEOPLE wanting to lend a hand to folk affected by Cyclone Nargis in Burma can do so by heading down to their local Bunnings warehouse this Friday, May 23.

By hosting Australasia’s biggest sausage sizzle, the hardware giant is hoping to raise at least $100 000.

National head honcho of Bunnings, John Gillam, told eMU News over the blower from Melbourne the dosh would be used to sanitise water, and provide food and shelter.

“It will be $2.50 for a sausage in a bun and there will also be donation buckets if people could chip in a gold coin or a note,” Mr Gillam said. “When Cyclone Nargis had such a devastating effect, it’s natural for people to try and find a meaningful response to human suffering.”

Nargis, a category four cyclone, hit Burma on May 2 and 3 with winds of up to 250kph. It destroyed 95 per cent of housing in Rangoon, the main city and former capital.

The death toll has risen beyond 77,000 people, and an overall 2.4 million people have been affected by Cyclone Nargis, with 55,917 people still missing.

“The figures we are hearing are that Save the Children have already provided relief to over 150000 people,” Mr Gillam said. “It will be $2.50 for a sausage in a bun and there will also be donation buckets if people could chip in a gold coin or a note.”

When asked whether he thought it would bother the Burmese, who were predominantly vegetarian, to receive ‘meat money’, Mr Gillam said he thought the aid would be appreciated, regardless of where it came from.