Pizza lovers’ fundraiser with the lot

IT was literally a fundraising drive.

About 60-70 vehicles took part in a car cruise from Claremont to Bagdad and back yesterday to raise funds for beloved pizzeria Dino Pizza, which was destroyed by fire earlier this month.

“It was awesome to see so many people, so much of the public out in force supporting us,” the Claremont pizza shop’s owner Stephen Noble said.

Mr Noble said the continued support from his customers and the broader community had kept him going through what has otherwise been a tough time for him and his family.

“The public outpouring has really given me a lift,” he said.

Mr Noble said he was still talking to his insurance company but hoped to start the rebuild soon.

“I’ve got an army of volunteers ready to go,” he said.

Some of the volunteers are friends, but others are local tradies who have come forward with offers of help.

“Some of them are volunteers with the Claremont Fire Brigade,” Mr Noble said.

He said many of the volunteer firefighters were customers. They were also called to fight the fire and Mr Noble said they were also shattered to lose the shop.

Yesterday’s car cruise started in Claremont and the convoy travelled to Bagdad, via Old Beach and Briggs Rd, for refreshments and a sausage sizzle before returning to Claremont and finishing at Cadbury Oval.

Mr Noble said the money raised would be counted today but he said it was a “pretty successful” event.