Adrian Portelli gives away $100k in giftcards at Coles Palmerston

Sweating it out in a nearly kilometre-long line, hundreds of Territorians waited outside Palmerston Shopping Centre on Tuesday for Australian billionaire Adrian Portelli.

Santa Claus arrived early for Territorians this Christmas, with hundreds of struggling shoppers

receiving gift-cards worth a total of $100,000 – but rather than a sleigh, he arrived in a private jet.

Sweating it out in a nearly kilometre-long line, hundreds of Territorians waited outside Palmerston Shopping Centre on Tuesday for Australian billionaire Adrian Portelli – who gave away $100,000 worth of Coles gift-cards.

Coles workers hurried to restock shelves while security guards and police officers prepared for the billionaire’s arrival.

It was “absolutely” a day to remember, said Coles retail worker Noora Stanford.

“I’ve never seen something this crazy happen here before,” she said.

“Security have been here since as early as 7.30am when I rocked up to work.”

Hundreds of Territorians gathered outside of Palmerston Shopping Centre to claim a gift-card.

Flanked by a number of security and bodyguards, Mr Portelli – who arrived in Darwin on Monday afternoon in his jet – was met with a loud cheer as he walked by eager shoppers.

Shay Cottier, a Coolalinga resident, said Mr Portelli could not have come at a better time.

“I've got a son at home and a baby on the way so this means a lot,” she said.

“I can't be more thankful.

“I hope this sets an example for billionaires around the world.”

Territory parents Dylan Mann and Skye Clayton described Mr Portelli as a “Christmas miracle”.

“My daughter asked me if we were seeing Santa,” Ms Clayton said.

“I told her he's just like Santa.

“It's just amazing.”

Eager shoppers cheered as Mr Portelli passed them.

One woman – who spoke on the condition of anonymity – shed a tear after she received her

voucher.

“I've nearly lost my husband three times,” she said.

“I've also got four kids; two of them are special needs.

“This just means so much to me and my family, I can't thank Adrian [Portelli] enough.”

Mr Portelli said it was gratifying to change so many lives.

“It means a lot to me because everybody deserves a good Christmas,” he said.

“When you hear all these stories about how far $100 and $200 can go, it’s heartbreaking really.

“This is the least I could do.”

While not revealing what was next, Mr Portelli said he was not finished with the Territory yet.

“I really love it up here, and we'd love to do more projects here in the future.”

Originally published as Adrian Portelli gives away $100k in giftcards at Coles Palmerston