Job prospects rise for local good Samaritan

Kelly McLean cleaning graves on 18th Ave. Photo/file

An unemployed Tauranga man who was told to stop cleaning headstones in Tauranga cemeteries has scored an appointment with a recruitment agency.

Last week the Bay of Plenty Times reported Kelly McLean had taken it upon himself to waterblast headstones at a city cemetery but was told to leave by the city council as the headstones were private property.

His story has received more than 100 online comments from people backing his efforts to help clean and tidy the cemetery.

I'm at the stage where I just want to go and help out.

Grave cleaner Kelly McLean

The story has also been widely circulated, sparking a flurry of feedback all in favour of Mr McLean who was looking for work.

Now, because of the story and his efforts, Mr McLean has an appointment with Tauranga recruitment service Drake New Zealand.

Kelsey Jamieson, of Drake, said she was keen to talk to Mr McLean.

"[The] majority of the time the clients first requirement is to send someone reliable with a great work ethic.

"Judging by Kelly's unpaid work and his willingness to give back to the community with his work, he possesses both of these traits," she said.

Mr McLean said he was looking forward to the appointment tomorrow.

He was overwhelmed with the response to his story.

"Holy hell," he said.

"If people wanted to ring me up to say this is where my plot is, would you please clean it for me, I would go and clean it.

"I'm at the stage where I just want to go and help out.

"I know I was doing a good job and I wasn't wrecking them."

Tauranga City Council spokesman Frank Begley said the council was willing to talk with Mr McLean.

If he wanted to do water blasting in other council areas, possibly that could be arranged.