Tauranga barbecue enthusiast Mike Jeffries is pulling out the big guns to feed the clean-up volunteers at Papamoa on Sunday.

The owner of mobile catering business Big Smoke BBQ expects to feed up to a 1000 volunteers and army personnel when he sets up his 5.5m long barbecue-oven outside the Papamoa Surf Club.

Owner Mike Jeffries and helper Jason Godsmark fire up the barbeque in preparation for the thousands of volunteers on Papamoa beach today. Photo by Cody Stevens.

Mike, who received the custom-made barbecue from Texas in January, is cranking it up to do his part to support those cleaning the beach.

'We just wanted to do our part. We've had great support from a lot of businesses sponsoring food and would love to hear from anyone else who wants to help by donating any barbecue food.”

Mike thanked sponsors Mainfreight, Provida Foods, Affco, Pak n Save Papamoa and ANZ. Those wanting to donate food can contact Mike on Facebook at The Big Smoke BBQ Co.

National On Scene Commander Nick Quinn says the hard-working clean-up crews have been overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity and kindness of the local Bay of Plenty community.

'Its very hard physical work cleaning up oil, and this has really given a boost to those people out on the beaches and around the shoreline.”