‘Lifeboat’ Rangiora: an update
The immediate ‘crisis’ response to the Feb 22nd earthquake is winding back a little in Rangiora, though the Rangiora Earthquake Express is still accepting donations like canned food, store-bought bottled water, nappies etc at its collection point, 41 Victoria Street, between 9am and 6pm.
However, the Rangiora Baptist Church welfare centre will close down from tomorrow, with people instead being transferred back into Christchurch, to the Pioneer Stadium Welfare Centre. I think this is so quake-affected people needing help will be closer to their homes in the city, but it will also help to free up the adjacent Rangiora High School so students can resume their normal schedule.
Rangiora has never been busier. While the welfare centre may be closing, it looks as though quite a few families have relocated away from the city to places in North Canterbury. I hope that our region can offer them as much support, shelter and assistance as possible as the slow and painful reality of this disaster in Christchurch continues.
