Please support NZ Salvos’ earthquake appeal

Friends, colleagues one and all, I wanted to share a letter received last night from a friend in Christchurch to ask for your help in donating whatever we can to the Christchurch earthquake appeal.

You will no doubt be aware of the devastation that has occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand. As I write this blog, the death toll has risen significantly and with hundreds trapped beneath the rubble there is no doubt that the toll will rise further.

Last night, Prime Minister John Key called this New Zealand’s darkest day.

As first light broke over the city, that prediction is coming true. If a disaster was measured only in the number of our fellow citizens who have died, or those who have been injured, then this is truly one of our nation’s darkest hours.

However, this is one of New Zealand’s largest cities and it is home to hundreds of thousands. To a nation of only 4 million, the after effects will be hard. Homes have been destroyed, the CBD has been devastated and infrastructure such as power, water, roads and bridges have been struck.

A few of you will know that I am a New Zealander and while my own thoughts and prayers were with family and friends last night, so too have they been with my own people – one of whom lives in the city. It took some hours into late last night before we were able to contact David to ensure he and his family were safe.

While the disaster is still unfolding, and while the situation continues to worsen, a number of you will have a connection to the disaster. If by no other strike of fate, than two degrees of separation – you will know a New Zealander and many of you will know someone from the City.

Last night, after we had verified David was safe he sent me the following email – an email that really does show that the worst case scenario has occurred, but worst yet could soon beyond the people, my fellow citizens, of Christchurch.

Please, take a few moments to read David’s email from Christchurch below, written while aftershocks were still occurring and people trapped were crying for help.  Certainly, my prayers and thoughts are with everyone. 

                                                               22 Feb 2011

Hi Matt,

The earthquakes here in Christchurch have taken a huge toll since September 4 last year. People have lost their homes, livelihoods and much of our cultural history through the damage of historic buildings.

But today the worst happened. We actually lost lives.

The names of the those who died are yet to be released, and yet, there will is unlikely a single person in Christchurch who will not be close to someone who has sustained some form of serious injury, loss of property, or lost their lives.

At only 350,000 people here in Christchurch, there is a maximum of two degrees of separation. For most people, it is really only a single degree of separation…

What this means is that my community has been shocked to the core. Loss of property I can handle, in fact, as a community we did handle. But losing so many people is unreal. This is a first world city. Things like this aren’t meant to happen here. But today, it did.

I am very lucky to be safe and well. My family is safe and well. My home is still in good order…but many aren’t.

Tonight, as I write you this message at least 2,000 people are literally sleeping rough in Hagley Park. There are plenty of people without a home, who need support.

That is why I’m writing. I have never, ever written an e-mail asking for people to donate money. But today, I am.

I’m asking for you to do me a huge favor. Matt, could you please e-mail your entire list, forward them this e-mail, and ask them to donate whatever they can afford to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal? The link is here: http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/giving-back/donate-online/disaster-appeals/canterbury-earthquake-appeal/

I greatly appreciate the support that the Australians have been providing, and would greatly appreciate your support.

Kind regards,

David