Coles store rocked by 'beloved' colleague's sudden death
'VB was very much loved by his friends and us who he called his work family,' the Coles staff said.
A group of Coles staffers have rallied together to support the family of a beloved team member who died at the age of just 39.
VB, who worked at the Coles store in Port Melbourne, Victoria recently passed away from a “sudden cardiac arrest” while off the clock, his co-workers said on a GoFundMe fundraiser created on Tuesday.
“VB was very much loved by his friends and us who he called his work family,” the staffers wrote, explaining that they were raising money for his family, who live in India.
“They missed saying goodbye to VB in person, in tragic circumstances we are wanting to raise the money to allow for the funeral expenses and to support his family in this difficult times,” they said. “We appreciate your support in what’s going to be a celebration of the short but amazing life that VB has lived and the relationship, as well as friendships that he’s built along the way.”
The Coles team members said any donation is appreciated and “no amount is a small amount”. The GoFundMe features several photos of VB in his Coles uniform lifting boxes, lounging on what appears to be an employee couch and wearing a Santa hat.
Several friends posted tributes to the 39-year-old, including the Big W South Regional Team who said they were “deeply saddened by the sudden loss of VB and want to wish deepest condolences to his family and friends”.
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Store staff offered counselling
Melissa Horne, Coles Port Melbourne store manager, told Yahoo News Australia the team “have all been impacted by the loss” of one of its “valued" members.
“We are doing what we can to support the tight-knit group who work here,” she said. “We have created a GoFundMe to assist with supporting his family with funeral and other costs during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with our team members at Coles Port Melbourne who have been offered counselling at this difficult time.”
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