Penrith: Hundreds queue at Nepean Village Coles in Penrith as Adrian Portelli gives away free groceries

Shoppers have chanted the name of a billionaire businessman as he arrived to fund free groceries for western Sydney families ahead of Christmas, attracting huge queues at two supermarkets.

Shoppers have chanted the name of a billionaire businessman as he arrived to fund free groceries for western Sydney families ahead of Christmas.

Several hundred turned out at the Nepean Village Coles on Tuesday morning, following Adrian Portelli’s announcement that he would be “putting down a total $150,000 tab” at the Penrith store and another of the supermarket’s outlets in Fairfield.

People began lining up at the crack of dawn in Penrith, some armed with camp chairs, eagerly anticipating the arrival of the entrepreneur known as “Lambo Guy”.

NSW Police shut down several roads surrounding the shopping centre before Mr Portelli arrived shortly after 9.30am.

He walked down the lengthy line, greeting customers, before giving out 500 gift cards.

“Lambo Guy” Adrian Portelli arrives at a Coles in Fairfield to give out free groceries on Tuesday. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Mr Portelli, known for buying a series of properties on The Block, also posed for selfies and chatted to shoppers inside the supermarket.

Penrith grandmother Laura Mand, one of the first people in line, said her daughter had told her about Mr Portelli’s giveaway.

Shoppers queue at Nepean Village in Penrith on Tuesday after billionaire businessman Adrian Portelli announced he was putting down a $150,000 tab at two Sydney Coles supermarkets.

Shoppers turned out in droves at Nepean Village in Penrith on Tuesday, after billionaire businessman Adrian Portelli announced he was putting down a $150,000 tab at the Coles for shoppers this Christmas.

“I thought ‘you know, this is a great idea, because what I get today is more than what I have already’,” she said.

“I’m just appreciative of anything, especially in these times.”

She said she thought Mr Portelli’s giveaway was “fantastic”.

“It’s so nice to see somebody give back to people instead of take, take, take,” she said.

Penrith grandmother Laura Mand queues for free groceries. Picture: Elizabeth Neil

“He’s a really kind-hearted man. They’re hard to find.”

Ms Mand said she was shopping to get “the little things for Christmas” and items to help fill her grandchildren’s stockings.

Shennay Hand and Kimberley Andrews arrived at 6am, armed with camping chairs, but did not have to wait outside for long before being let into the centre about 6.20am.

“This time of the year is quite tough for everybody, and it definitely helps with Christmas and everything else at the moment,” Ms Andrews said.

Shennay Hand (left) and Kimberley Andrews (right) sat in camp chairs as they waited for “Lambo Guy” Adrian Portelli to arrive. Picture: Elizabeth Neil

Ms Hand said she felt Mr Portelli’s giveaway was “very generous” and “a good way to give back to the community”.

“Obviously everyone is in need of it, so it comes at a good time,” she said.

Ms Andrews said she was shopping for stocking fillers, a Christmas ham, as well as nappies and other basic essentials.

Queues for the free groceries in Fairfield. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Mr Portelli later went to a second Coles in Fairfield West, where he was also greeted by a large crowd of shoppers with a queue stretching out onto the main street.

Some of the shoppers stuck waiting outside used umbrellas to keep themselves cool in the hot sun.

Tick Thelian, the first person in the queue at the Fairfield Coles, shakes hands with Adrian Portelli. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Queues outside the Coles in Fairfield. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Once inside, Mr Portelli shook hands with several shoppers while handing out another round of gift cards.

Tuesday was not the first time Mr Portelli had opened his wallet for others this week, with thousands having queued for a similar giveaway in Tasmania the previous day.