Brian Bell quake appeal a success

BRIAN Bell Group held a national Aid Appeal Day on Friday to raise funds for community packs to help people affected by the Feb 26 earthquake.
Group chief executive Cameron Mackellar said the day was a success as people responded well to the appeal and came out to shop all across Papua New Guinea.
The packs will be made up of spades, axes, tarpaulins, seeds, hammers and nails.
Mackellar said the packs would help people re-establish their lives after the earthquake that shook Hela, Western Highlands and Southern Highlands provinces.
“Our stores were full on that day,” he said.
“One hundred per cent of all profits will be going to our community packs.
“We will be sending hundreds of these packs.
“We thank all of Papua New Guinea for supporting our national event. The generosity of our customers across PNG have made this appeal a great success.”
Mackellar said the company was in touch with Oil Search Foundation to plan the distribution of the community packs “as soon as possible”.
“We are already packing the seeds, spades, bush knives, bags and numerous other items,” he said. “In the next few days, we will confirm the amount of aid we will be sending and
where this will be distributed.”
Mackellar said the PNG media heavily supported the earthquake appeal and that contributed to the success of the day.
Brian Bell Group placed full-page advertisements in The National, with Mackellar conducting numerous TV and radio interviews to promote the event.
Group chairman Ian Clough said: “We had to help the people affected by this earthquake.
“We allocated numerous resources to the event.
“We wanted this to work and deliver a great result.
“I want to congratulate the PNG media for their amazing support.
“They (media) jumped in and got 100 per cent behind the event.”
He also commended his staff.
“Our staff were exceptional on the day. They came in traditional dress; they came motivated to help PNG,” he said.
He added that Brian Bell was all about people, and their 60 years of presence in this country confirmed that commitment.
“We are a 100 per cent PNG-owned company, and we are very proud to be able to help in this way.”
“We thank all of PNG for their generosity on Friday and for contributing to helping the people.”