Wrestling event helps feed homeless

Wrestling organiser Tom Ley knows what it's like to grow up in a big family without much money and wants to help others in the same situation. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Hearts of gold and abs of steel will be on show in Whangarei this weekend in a pro wrestling event raising money to feed the homeless.

Whangarei's good samaritan group Soul Food had caught the attention of Professional Wrestling Entertainment owner Tom Ley, who decided to get stuck in to help them out.

Soul Food was a grassroots unregistered charity with a simple mission of feeding as many homeless and in-need people as possible through a free "no questions asked" feed at the Rose St bus terminal twice a week. They had been going for about two years.

"I started volunteering there too, about two months ago," Mr Ley said. "I'm the second youngest of seven kids. I grew up in a poor household so know what it's like."

Mr Ley was importing wrestlers from as far afield as Christchurch for tomorrow's fundraiser.

"It's going to be a great night of family-friendly entertainment ... It's very much like WWE, there's storylines and a championship belt and stuff."

Mr Ley had previously run wrestling events in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato, but wanted to bring the fun north.

Soul Food volunteers would be doing what they did best - manning the barbecues for the event.

Co-founder Chris Youens said the group regularly fed about 50 people a night, but had set a record recently, with 77 turning out.

Mr Youens and co-founder Rochelle Hedges spent about 20 hours each week on organising the evenings, which included cooking, collecting orders and donations and setting up a small kitchenette at the Rose St bus stop.

Whangarei MP Dr Shane Reti paid a lot of the group's supplier bills and other provisions come from the the pockets of volunteers, Whangarei Growers' Market, Tikipunga Wholesale Meats and occasional donations from social media followers. Bedding, clothing and personal items are also given to those who need them.

Find "Soul Food. What's Cooking. Whangarei" on Facebook.

Tomorrow's fundraising event "Home Coming" is at Kamo War Memorial Hall, doors open 5pm for a 5.30pm start.

All profits to Soul Food. Adult $15, child $10, family of four $40. Tickets from Infracom 225 Port Rd or on the door.