One man's 'mobile home' another's saviour

MARION VAN DIJK

GOOD SAMARITAN: Tony Frost, of Richmond, wants to send a converted 20-foot container to Christchurch.

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Richmond businessman Tony Frost knows what it's like to lose the family home, so he's sending an emergency one to help someone who has lost theirs in Canterbury.

Mr Frost, who owns Ecotech Homes, has a container which has been lined and fitted out as a studio bedroom. He will furnish it and send it by truck to Christchurch to be used as a sleepout by someone who is homeless.

He is working with Civil Defence to find the best place to send it, but suggests it could go in a campground or someone's backyard.

He said if Nelson families wanted to send a package to friends or relatives in Christchurch they could put it in the container and he would send it south at no cost.

He can be contacted on 0274449740.

His firm manufactures modular building systems in China which are sent around the world and the container at his Gladstone Rd site was an early prototype.

Mr Frost decided it could be put to better use in Christchurch.

"I lost my home, not through an earthquake but through a business failure, and it ripped my family to bits. I know how it feels."

He lost his Richmond Hills home when his construction and development business was squeezed in the global credit crunch.

"It's part of character-building," he said.

He now felt for the families affected by the earthquake devastation.

"I hope I can help someone else." Nelson residents can also show their support for those affected by the Canterbury earthquake at a fundraising sausage sizzle to be held at Bunnings Warehouse on Saturday. All proceeds will go directly to the Red Cross Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.

- © Fairfax NZ News