Couple overwhelmed by ongoing goodwill

Sean and Tasha Shemwell, with son Archie. Photo/Stuart Munro

Offers of help continue to come in for the Shemwell family whose Aramoho home was gutted by fire two days before Christmas.

English couple Sean and Tasha Shemwell, who only arrived in New Zealand in August with their 2-year-old son, Archie, admit to being overwhelmed by the goodwill shown to them by the Wanganui community.

The latest show of support has come in the form of a $400 cheque from the Cleveland Funeral Home. The family has also been offered use of a furnished apartment in Castlecliff and other items of furniture and clothing, including a queen-sized bed and bedding.

In addition, they were given an iPad by the Harvey Norman store yesterday, which means they can make contact with family back in Britain.

A woman named Kelly is rallying support through an online appeal - she can be contacted on 027 5818531 - and the Central Baptist Church is a location where donations can be dropped off.

The couple, who are compiling a list of all the people and organisations they will need to thank, arrived in Wanganui from Bangladesh. Mrs Shemwell was working as an occupational therapist there - as she does at Wanganui Hospital - while her husband, a skilled tradesman, was doing volunteering work.

Mr Shemwell has also been volunteering at the Waiora Christian Community Centre during his time in Wanganui. Their Kells Avenue home was broken into on Monday morning and, during what police describe as a burglary gone wrong, it was set alight.

Investigations are continuing.