Wanted Man inspires National Where’s Billy Day.

Wanted Man inspires National Where’s Billy Day.

Written by Michael Levertoff.

Where’s Billy the Hunted One? Police sure would like to know!

If fugitive William (Billy) Stewart makes it to February 10 2009 he will have been on the run for three months – which inspired the National Where’s Billy Day, to be celebrated on Saturday 9 May by students in Hamilton.

Billy has captured the imagination of the country as he continues to evade police, slipping through the net every time into rugged South Island bush.

The manhunt, launched February 10 when he allegedly threatened a police officer with an iron bar in central Canterbury before disappearing into bush, has been in the news constantly as Mr Stewart continues to evade capture.

Then Ashburton builder and property developer Barry Toneycliffe made national headlines with his line of “Where’s Billy” T-Shirts for sale on Trade Me – but it didn’t end there.

A student in Hamilton saw the Where’s Billy T Shirts on Trademe and was inspired to celebrate a National Where’s Billy Day with his friends – and anyone else who thinks the idea is a good one.

“It’s about having some fun while drinking one beer for each evasion of capture,” says the National Where’s Billy Day organiser.

To commemorate the event, National Where’s Billy Day T shirts are being sold on Trade Me.

“Me and a few mates are gonna get together and celebrate – we hope others will join in the fun. Buy a T Shirt – 10% of proceeds will be gifted to the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind.”

The National Where’s Billy Day T Shirts sport a choice selection of commemorative photographs and seven glasses of beer for each evasion of capture – plus the names of some of the places Mr Stewart has been sighted.

“The shirt will undoubtedly help people who would like to know more about some of the smaller towns in the South Island – these could be great places to escape if you’re looking to go somewhere sometime on a cheap holiday.”

Mr Toneycliffe, the original “where’s Billy” inspiration, thinks it is a great idea, but didn’t expect it to become such a big deal.

“I think it’s quite humorous, we need a bit of humour in the middle of a recession don’t we?”

But he is quick to point out that Police are not to blame, and publicity will help them catch a criminal.

“I am certainly not trying to undermine the police force, there is a lot of bush down here, if anything if it’s kept in the public eye he’s more likely to get caught.”

Police say William Stewart could be anywhere in the South Island. He is a 47-year-old Caucasian, 177cm tall, of thin build, and has a No 2 haircut.

ENDS

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