Young butcher who spoke about struggles during the COVID-19 lockdown dies

Young butcher who spoke about his money struggles during the COVID-19 lockdown dies aged 38 – as his heartbroken family pays tribute to the young dad

  • Roy Green, 38 was found dead after his business collapsed due to COVID-19
  • The father owned the Mad Butcher in Pukekohe, in south Auckland with his wife
  • He’d previously described lying awake at night or crying over financial concerns 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

The family of a young butcher who died when his business collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic has described the heartbreak of losing their ‘ray of sunshine’. 

Roy Green, 38, was found dead in his home at Tuakau in New Zealand’s Waikato district at the weekend.

He’d previously revealed he lay awake at night and sat and cried as he tried to figure out how to keep his business afloat during the national COVID-19 lockdown.

The father of two was forced to close the Mad Butcher in Pukekohe, in south Auckland which he owned with his wife Amanda when restrictions came in place on March 26.

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The family of a young butcher who died when his business collapsed during the coronavirus pandemic has described the heartbreak of losing their ‘ray of sunshine’ (Pictured: Amanda and Roy Green with their baby Leah several years ago)

The next day he shared a video to the business Facebook page encouraging customers to stay safe.  

‘For once in my life (after) having the shop for about five years now I finally get a four week holiday. I’m just enjoying family time and staying safe,’ Mr Green said.

The company – ‘Green Family Butchers’ ltd was placed into liquidation on May 7 after five years of operation.

In the weeks following the store’s closure Mr Green revealed he was ‘struggling big time’ in an interview with TVNZ. 

The shop was making more than $92,000/week before level four lockdown, but sales dried up when his was forced to close his doors.  

‘The money I do have in the bank is all going for outgoings at the moment … it’s a tough struggle,’ Green said. 

‘I spend nights awake in bed, some nights I’ve sat there crying, wondering what I’m gonna do next.’ 

Mr Green’s family paid tribute to the ‘awesome dad’ and ‘heart of his family’ in a statement provided to the New Zealand Herald.   

The father of two (pictured left with his wife Amanda) was forced to close the Mad Butcher in Pukekohe, in south Auckland when restrictions came in place on March 26

The father of two (pictured left with his wife Amanda) was forced to close the Mad Butcher in Pukekohe, in south Auckland when restrictions came in place on March 26

'For once in my life (after) having the shop for about five years now I finally get a four week holiday. I'm just enjoying family time and staying safe,' Mr Green said in a video to the company's Facebook page six weeks ago

‘For once in my life (after) having the shop for about five years now I finally get a four week holiday. I’m just enjoying family time and staying safe,’ Mr Green said in a video to the company’s Facebook page six weeks ago

‘Roy was a ray of sunshine for us all. He is loved very deeply by his wife and kids, his mother and siblings, and was extremely close with his extended family and the wider Pukekohe community,’ the family said.

‘Roy was so proud of all that he had achieved – he owned his own business and had a beautiful family.

‘We all love him so dearly, and are so grateful to have had him in our lives. Our Roy, you will be eternally missed.’

While supermarkets were allowed to sell meat and grocers stayed open, butchers were prohibited from opening under the Level Four restrictions in New Zealand.

While supermarkets were allowed to sell meat and grocers stayed open, butchers like the Mad Butcher in Pukekohe owned by Roy Green (pictured) and his wife Amanda were prohibited from opening under the Level Four restrictions in New Zealand

While supermarkets were allowed to sell meat and grocers stayed open, butchers like the Mad Butcher in Pukekohe owned by Roy Green (pictured) and his wife Amanda were prohibited from opening under the Level Four restrictions in New Zealand 

Tributes have been flowing for the butcher online, while dozens of flowers have been laid outside the shop front since news broke of Mr Green’s death.

He’s been described as ‘one of life’s great’ character’s and a man with the ‘biggest heart’ who ‘always put smiles on people’s faces’. 

Messages of support also came from neighbouring businesses like ‘The Fish Shop – Tuakau’ who remembered him as ‘one of life’s good blokes’ and the Tuakau Rugby Club of which he was a coach, committee member, manager and club sponsor.

If you or anyone you know needs help you can contact Lifeline on 0800 543 354 in New Zeland or 13 11 14 in Australia.  

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AROUND COVID-19 FOR AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND

 NEW ZEALAND

 LIFELINE

Phone: 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) 

Text: 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)

Chat online: https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline

YOUTHLINE

Phone: 0800 376 633

NEED TO TALK

Call/Text: 1737 (available 24/7)

KIDSLINE

 Phone: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)

WHATSUP

Phone: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)

DEPRESSION HELPLINE 

Phone: 0800 111 757 

Text: 4202

 

AUSTRALIA

LIFELINE 

Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days)

Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights)

Chat online: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat (7pm – midnight, 7 nights)

BEYOND BLUE  

Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours/7 days)

Chat online: www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support

‘Coping during the Coronavirus Outbreak Forum’ 

HEADSPACE 

Phone: 1800 650 890 

Eheadspace services including one on one support, group chat forums 

SANE Australia 

Phone: 1800 18 7263 (10am-10pm AEDT, Mon-Fri.) 

Online Support forums: saneforums.org

 KIDS HELPLINE 

Phone: 1800 55 1800 

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