We took some essential supplies down to the Rangiora Earthquake Express headquarters at the Chervier Centre, Victoria Street, Rangiora this morning and it was great to see the generous contributions that other local people are also making there for quake-devastated Christchurch.
Pictured is Toni Jolliffe, of Hawarden, who collected a whole boot-load of bottles from the Amberley Recycling depot, and also from a local dairy. These will all be able to be sanitised and filled up with clean water from Rangiora to help people without water in the city. She said her 17-year-old son is part of the search and rescue effort. Toni and her family are just one among many doing what they can to help.
I spoke to Brendan Malone, who is coordinating this operation, and he says the support from local families, businesses and supermarkets has been fantastic. Offers of assistance are also coming in from the North Island and from offshore.
Everyone knows that their little bit is not much in itself, but collectively it can really do some good.
Rangiora Earthquake Express has a Facebook page - check it out for more info on how to help. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rangiora-Earthquake-Express/153841938005848?sk=info
