Van fare helps family after tragedy

An entrepreneurial Broome couple have put their culinary abilities to good use to raise funds after tragedy befell a friend.

Jon Easty and Elya Stanbrook were keen to raise funds for the family of friend Jed Beaumont, who died in Northam in April.

Like Jed, the Broome pair originates from New Zealand and the money raised was donated to cover the costs of bringing the deceased man's body back home from Perth.

The remaining funds will help the grieving family with costs of travelling from New Zealand to WA and will go towards supporting Jed's first child, which is due to be born in August.

Jon and Elya have recently bought a food van in a bid to start their own catering business, Easty's, and welcomed all-comers to enjoy their wares at Barnsley Place on May 24.

Through the sale of pulled pork toasties, beef sliders and buffalo wings with a blue cheese sauce, the Broome couple managed to raise $500 to help their friend's family.

The Broome community rallied around the pair and was generous in its donations to the cause.

Following an online petition for financial assistance, more than $18,500 has been raised to help the Beaumont family.

For more information or to donate visit http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/bringjedhome.