Friday 20 March 2009
MEDIA RELEASE

Robbed rider gets more community support

Cash, electronics donated to replace stolen items

Visiting charity bike rider Paul Mack has just received further evidence that the Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki Districts are appalled at the theft of his bike and personal effects while he was attending church in Thames last Sunday.

Thames-Coromandel District Mayor Philippa Barriball, Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga and Tourism Coromandel's Jim Archibald have each donated $500 to Mr Mack, while Thames businesses Browns 100% gave him an MP3 player and Paper Plus donated a $50 voucher to replace a treasured volume he has carried around the world with him.

According to a newspaper report Mr Mack's bike was found near the church on Sunday minus two cameras, various personal music players, shoes, clothing, travel documents and credit cards.

Mr Mack is the founder of the Blanket Earth Project with the ambitious goal of cycling across 42 countries, spreading a message of love and harmony and encouraging schools to create a piece of a huge blanket to be presented at the London 2012 Olympics.

"Fortunately, Mr Mack does not blame Thames or the rest of New Zealand for the actions of the thief, but this is a terrible thing to have happened here," says Mayor Barriball. "I encourage anybody who may have information about the theft to contact the police in the hope that Mr Mack's personal items can be restored to him."

Her comments were endorsed by Mayor Tregidga who said "unfortunate incidents like this do not reflect the 'real' New Zealand, which welcomes all visitors to our shores."

Mr Archibald said he was sure the generosity of the Thames community would have helped Mr Mack to come to terms with his loss, but it was something no visitor should have to experience.

ENDS

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