High Commission hosts community fundraiser for the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal

NZDF Chaplain Paul Allen-Baines outlines the rescue and recovery operations ongoing in Christchurch

Solomon Islands-based Kiwis and friends gathered at the Residence on Saturday 5 March for a community fundraiser for the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal.

The event gave people a chance to get together far from home to remember family and friends caught up in the quake and its aftermath. A sausage sizzle (complete with Wattie’s tomato sauce), collection boxes and a raffle of fine New Zealand wines donated by High Commission staff raised SB$11,560 (around NZ$1,900) in two hours.

NZDF personnel serving in RAMSI (the current platoon is from Burnham Camp) helped to entertain the pikininis with tours of their Pinzgauer vehicle, camouflage face-painting and glowsticks.

RAMSI’s NZDF chaplain also spoke to remind everybody of the contribution of rescue and recovery services still working in Christchurch.