Uncles food trailer has only been operating a year in Southland, but already it is becoming a household name.

On Thursday the Invercargill family business spent the day feeding the Ohai community, and donated all of its takings ($6026) towards police officer Steve Ioane, who is fighting Stage 4 lung cancer.

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A huge community effort is currently underway and on Givealittle to raise $132,000 for Steve’s unfunded chemo and immunotherapy treatment. You can donate at a Givealittle page for Steve here

Already $54,000 has been raised, including the huge business contribution from Uncles, where the business owners are originally from.

Mills Mussels also donated a day’s worth of kai towards the fundraiser, and Uncles operator Jen Murray said Western Southland had really surprised them with the turn out.

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“It was soooo chocker busy…. haven’t seen so many vehicles parked outside the old Ohai Pub for years! And thanks to our regulars who travelled all the way out here from Invercargill too, we noticed ya’s,” she said.

Jen’s parents Charmaine & Daryn Murray were the local shearing contractors in Ohai for 18 years and sold their business a few years ago. They still live in Ohai but Jen lives in Invercargill.

A year ago her parents brought this big food trailer “out of the blue, they had an idea that it could be a great family business that we could all contribute and work in. The plans were slightly delayed for mum who ended up with a back injury, so I thought I’d give it a go with a couple of small recipies,” she said.

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The Riverton Market was Uncles first appearance and then a short stint at the Farmers Market, before branching off and doing its own thing.

Now based on Gala Street on Friday nights, as well as all day Saturday and Sunday, Uncles has grown its menu to include many takeaway items – predominately fresh seafood, with aunties, nieces, sons and cousins all helping out.

Jen’s sister Nardia who was mandated out of her job as a midwife, with another food trailer using the same recipes, based in Roxburgh and operating through the summer months.

Jen said her family knew a thing or two about hard work (her father also owns an engineering company), and feeding hungry people.

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Unfortunately she also knows about cancer, and is currently in remission for ovarian cancer, so understands Steve and his family will be going through a rough ride.

You can donate at a Givealittle page for Steve here

Former Ohai cop Mark Wishart, that policed in the town when she lived in Western Southland, also died of cancer.

“He was a top guy and any cop who replaced him surely had some big shoes to fill. But we’ve heard nothing but nice comments about him (Steve) and his work.”

Jen said she was looking at opening 7 days and also running two food trailers in Invercargill, with a bistro-style shop as well.

“We feel we have very strong local support in Southland and Invercargill, and it always surprises us how many people travel to come see us. Awesome vibes.”

Today Uncles also updated their hours on their Facebook page.

Heaps of ya have asked… so we gonna give it a go!

We are gonna have a trial run….. starting on the 18th May

We are opening Wednesday & Thursday’s too… Also Fridays…. opening for longer

New opening hours on Gala Street will be:

Wed 11am-7pm, Thu 11am-7pm, Fri 11am-7pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-7pm

Family Business Donates Entire Day’s Takings Towards Ohai Cop

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