Town won’t give up on Shane
An incredible show of support to bring home a missing boatie after emergency services stood down, has seen a Givealittle page set up to honestly manage the funds offered to keep the search alive.
Shane Hayes of Mangawhai in Northland took his seven metre Buccaneer fibreglass boat out for a test run on February 8, but did not return.
His wife Laureen raised the alarm that evening.
Police, Coastguard, the Westpac Auckland Rescue Helicopter, family and friends scoured the area, but emergency services have now been stood down.
Debris from the boat was found, but 53-year-old remains missing.
His family and friends haven’t given up hope of finding him and are continuing the search, and the rest of the community has moved to support them.
‘‘Privately chartered helicopters, cropping planes, boaties and search parties of family and friends have been extensively combing the area continuing the search,’’ The Givealittle page reads.
And as they searched members other members of the community offered monetary support to keep them going.
The overwhelming response from people wanting to donate has seen members of the Mangawhai community set up the Givealittle page as a forum where people can send money.
‘‘I have set up this page because the local community, friends, family and people further afield have been asking for ways in which they can help,’’ page creators Melissa and Mark Wilson wrote.
All funds raised will be used to cover search related expenses.
‘‘Mangawhai’s community spirit has overwhelmed Laureen, daughter Jackie, and son Harrison, and they are grateful beyond words.’’
The Mangawhai community know the Hayes’ family have a painful journey ahead of them and say if they can continue their quest to find Hayes without financial burden, they have taken one little step towards helping them, it says on the page.
More than $22,000 has been raised by the page and the generous donations so far have allowed searches by air last week on days when it was unsafe to search by boat.
Visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/ searchforshane for more information.