Planning next week’s meals for your family? How about Pizza Night Wednesday? You won’t likely say no to this very important cause which will run in The Gap, as well as 20 other pizza outlets.
On Wednesday, 30 June 2021, Domino’s in The Gap will donate $1 for every pizza sold to raise funds for Remi, a 10-year-old boy from Newmarket who recently lost his father, Kerry Rooney. The initiative was cooked up by Lachlan Muirhead, the assistant manager at Domino’s Newmarket, who enlisted the other outlets to commit to the donations.
Remi lost his father on 16 June 2021 following an ambush attack at Kerry’s home in Newmarket. His attacker was his ex-wife, Bonita Vivien Coue, who has been charged with the murder and has made her appearance at the Brisbane Magistrates Court. The ex-couple has been estranged since their split in 2013.
According to police reports, Kerry was attacked as he was about to enter his unit, where his ex-wife had been waiting outside. He came home after his son’s soccer training.
Some of the neighbours tried to intervene as Kerry yelled for help but Bonita managed to slit his throat. The police said that Bonita had been stalking Kerry for two weeks before this incident.
Remi’s soccer group said that Kerry’s world was his son. The Newmarket Soccer Football Club has also established a fundraiser for the boy for the game on 26 June 2021.
Aside from The Gap and Newmarket, funds are expected to also pour from the Domino’s outlets in these locations:
| Arana Hills Aspley Ferny Grove Fortitude Valley Gaythorne Greenslopes | Hamilton Holland Park Kelvin Grove New Farm Paddington Queen St. | Samford Sandgate Spring Hill St. Lucia Taringa Toowong West End |
However, for those willing to shell out more than the cost of a pizza dinner, friends of Kerry have set up a donation drive via GoFund Me as well. As of press time, the fundraiser has received more than $50,000 from generous members of the Brisbane community.
“Remi is just 10 years of age and needless to say has much ahead of him to recover and flourish. Your help will support this endeavour and be an important tribute to the memory of Kerry,” John Hoffman, Kerry’s lifelong friend who initiated the GoFundMe page, wrote.
For domestic violence helplines, here are the numbers to call:
- Emergency/Police: 000
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
- Womensline: 1800 811 811
- Family Violence Crisis and Support Service: 1800 608 122
- National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24hr helpline: 1800 RESPECT