The Betts Family from Kaikoura

The earthquake which struck Kaikoura and surrounding districts at 12.02 am on 14 November has left four branches of the Betts Family sheltering together under one with roof with no sewage or running water. All four families have sustained loss and damage to their homes and Penny Betts, who owns and operates the iconic Gecko Gearz shop in the heart of Kaikoura, faces an uncertain future and the prospect of not knowing if her business will ever operate again.

Penny’s business is her livelihood and any means of earning money has now been taken from her. This also impacts on her partner, mother, cousin and various residents of the Kaikoura community who are also employed by the business.

With no immediate access in or out of Kaikoura and the peak tourist season looming , the family and the business, face a difficult and extremely worrying time ahead.

Penny has recently returned from a trip to south east asia buying stock for her shop which sells an eclectic range of local and international clothing, craft and jewellery. This container load now sits in Christchurch unable to be sold. A similar shipment of stock has been ordered and is currently under production in Nepal with Penny now having no means to pay her suppliers. Penny has been a driving force in supporting the people of Nepal following their devastating earthquake in 2015 by purchasing goods from the local people, organizing thousands of dollars in fundraising for families in need and selling their goods in her shop with 50% of the sale price going directly back to the Nepalese people.

Penny and her family have also hosted many young people from all around the world as part of the WOOFER movement. She has provided them with employment and welcomed them into her family so that these young people have been able to call one of the most beautiful and special places in the world their home for a time.

Now is the opportunity to return this favour to Penny and her family as they struggle to cope with the situation they now find themselves in.

Funds will help and support the Betts family with their day to day living expenses as several members of the family who rely on Penny's business have now lost their livelihood.