Fundraiser at Easy Tiger for East Coast woman who lost everything in house fire

The St Helens community is coming together to help raise money for a woman who lost everything in a devastating house fire three weeks ago.

Marita Mangano at Easy Tiger at St Helens. Marita hosts open mic night at Easy Tiger and lost her home recently in a house fire. Easy Tiger will run a fundraiser to help Marita and her partner Dave rebuild their lives. Picture: Richard Jupe/Tasmanian Hospitality Association

Just three weeks after a devastating house fire claimed the home of St Helens stalwart Marita Mangano, the community has rallied behind her to help raise some much-needed funds to help her and her partner, Dave, rebuild their lives.

From 4pm on Friday, a host of acts will take to the stage at the Easy Tiger, with management donating 10 per cent of all bar takings.

While Ms Mangano was still coming to terms with the tragedy, she said she had been blown away by the support she had already received.

“I’ve been recovering from a lot of shock and tears, and so has my partner, but we were rest assured that we were loved in this community,” Ms Mangano said.

“I’ve cancelled everything in my life except I have kept the Easy Tiger open mics going, simply because I didn’t want to let my community down. My day job and all that has to take a second seat while I rebuild my confidence.

“When you think mental health, it’s not a closed slate. It’s actually interesting how the mind works because even though parts of my mind were shattered, these other parts that need to stay alive and that is really with music.”

Easy Tiger managing director Jason Unwin said Ms Mangano had been giving her time and energy to the local St Helens community for more than two decades – and the Easy Tiger were more than happy to return the favour.

“We were absolutely shocked, and we’re just so fortunate that Marita’s okay and her partner Dave’s okay,” Mr Unwin said.

“She’s been such a large part of what we’ve done here, she really is part of the Easy Tiger family, and we just wanted to do whatever we could to support her.

“The community has really got behind it and Marita has been such a key person to the community here and helped so many people out, she has such a generous heart, that this is just one of those things that you don’t even have to think about twice.”

Mr Unwin said he hoped people would come along for a great night of local and live music supporting Ms Mangano and Dave in a time of need.

“Marita is part of the furniture at Easy Tiger, so it’s only fitting that we have the event there,” Mr Unwin said.

“It’s not a paid event, just by buying a beer, you’re helping out.”