Overseas Donations for Christchurch relief

Rotarians overseas seeking information regarding telegraphic transfers, the following information should be provided to your banks.

Receiving bank in New Zealand is "Westpac Banking Corporation", Wellington

-  Swift Code WPACNZ2W 

-  IBAN Code  031702

For account no.     03 1702 0192208 02  

Account Name :  RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand)

Contact Name      Stuart Batty

Contact address   PO Box 20309, Christchurch 8543

                            22 Lochmore Street, Christchurch 8051  

Additional Information (if requested)

Rotary New Zealand Canterbury Earthquake Appeal

www.rnzwcs.org

News on Christchurch Earthquake

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Due to the extreme difficulties being experienced with all forms of communication into and from Christchurch (phone and email), District 9970 have requested that all Rotarians and clubs use www.rotarysouthpacific.org as your FIRST source of information about the Rotary response to the Canterbury Earthquake. The New Zealand and Pacific Islands Rotary website www.rotarysouthpacific.org contains contact information for contributions and donations of all types and will be continually updated with new information as this becomes available. Updates and news of Rotary’s involvement can be emailed to berylrobinson@rotarydownunder.co.nz and these will be posted as soon as possible.

The thoughts and best wishes of all Rotarians are with the people of Canterbury at this time. The Rotary response from around the world has been significant and as information is collated this will be posted on the website.

This email has been sent at the request of District 9970 (Ross Skinner) and the Multi-District Public Image Committee to all club presidents, AGs, DG/E/N/NN and those involved with Rotary public image.

Best regards,

Colin Robinson

Webmaster – www.rotarysouthpacific.org

Multi-District Public Image Committee

Well done Manawatu Clubs!!

Click to read more

News flash - a request for Rotarians in Wellington

This is a message calling Rotarians to assist tomorrow (Friday) morning.

Work has been happening over the last few days to organise two public collection points in Wellington.

1. Wellington Railway Station from 7am to 9am.

Rotarians have been given approval to collect within the Railway Station - with ERKs and Shelter Box on display. Can you help? I know Wellington, Tawa and Porirua Sundown have already indicated they have members who can assist Harbour City - the organising Club.

If you can help, contact Bindu Jacob on 0272291474

2. Midland Park - Lambton Quay 10am-2pm

Warren Irving has been able to get approval to erect another Shelter Box in Midland Park tomorrow and we need collectors. It is appreciated that this is a very last minute activity and Warren is approaching Presidents, but if you can assist, please contact Warren direct (021 656 477). It is suggested this run from 10-2pm.

Here is an opportunity for Wellingtonians to contribute directly to Shelter Boxes which will be deployed in Christchurch. It is a tangible way to provide support.

I ask, if you work in or live near Wellington, to let the organisers have your support tomorrow morning.  Our Actions Count!

Rotary supporting Christchurch where it can

Scores dead and utter devastation after another earthquake in NZ

New Zealand’s Canterbury province was again struck by a massive earthquake, registering 6.3 on the Richter scale, on February 22. More than 40 people were reported dead within a few hours and many more remained trapped, dead and alive, under the rubble of collapsed buildings and flattened vehicles.

New Zealand’s “Garden City” of Christchurch and surrounding townships remain devastated and many places without water, sewerage and electricity. A state of Civil Emergency was declared and international search and rescue teams joined defence force, police and emergency services personnel to rescue as many as quickly as possible.

District 9970 DG Margaret Reeves said big aftershocks continue and people were both frightened and concerned for their loved ones. Local Rotarians were assisting where and when able. DG Margaret said100% of donations of money were being channelled into the areas of greatest need.

Messages and support from the Rotary family worldwide were quickly received. Within hours of the earthquake a large donation was received from Japan and despite being dealing with the aftermath of the Queensland floods, PDG Errol Wildman said D9630 Rotarians were ready to assist. PRIP Bill Boyd received messages of support from throughout the world.

ShelterBox responds to New Zealands 'darkest day'

Dear DG's, AG's & Presidents

Please find the latest news below or watch the video online here - http://www.shelterbox.org/news.php?id=604

ShelterBox is standing by ready to respond to the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch.

Currently, we have 106 prepositioned ShelterBoxes on route from Melbourne and 200 from the UK.

It is anticipated that they will arrive shortly in Auckland. Boxes have also been deployed from Mosgiel today.

Please diseminate to your club members the following press release;

A New Zealand ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) stands ready to respond following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake which hit Christchurch, New Zealand as at lunchtime on 22 February.

Around 75 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in the disaster. New Zealand SRT volunteers Walter van der Kley, Arnold Kelly and Lyndon Tamblyn have been mobilised to Christchurch and are already in the area working with the authorities to assess the need.

From downtown Christchurch, Walter van der Kley reported witnessing extensive damage and experiencing several aftershocks. Emergency shelters have been erected by authorities but more are expected to be needed.

Lyndon Tamblyn, SRT, said: “We’re expecting the death toll to rise. Many people are still missing. It’s being called the darkest day in our history. We’re in shock - it’s something you don’t expect to see in your own country.”

John Leach, ShelterBox Head of Operations, said: “In this early phase of the disaster the extent of emergency shelter requirements is unclear. Any level of need will emerge in the next 24 hours.”

Can you offer to help?

I received a number of enquiries from Clubs wanting to open their homes.  Our theme this year is so true - we do build our communities with our actions.

Read on....

Offers of accommodation please - Rotary District 9970 Governor Margaret Reeve and Past District Governor Stuart Batty will be working with other agencies in the coming days with a view to offering short term breaks outside of Christchurch to firstly affected Rotarians and their families and then to others to assist them in their recovery from the trauma they are undergoing at this time.  Rotarian families outside Christchurch who would be willing to open up their homes [or holiday accommodation], are asked to email stuart.batty@rnzwcs.org with their details to include in a data base.  We are not sure as to the level of need, but clearly many are going through a good deal of personal anxiety at this time.

 Director PDG Stuart Batty

RNZWCS Limited (Rotary New Zealand World Community Services) 

Hitting the media -  let's make our Actions Count!

Press Release - Rotary's response to Christchurch's Quake

Rotarians send money and offer homes to earthquake victims

                                               

Within hours of the devastating earthquake hitting Canterbury members of the world wide service club Rotary International have responded with donations of services and money.

Some of the first offers of help came from Japan and from the flood ravaged areas of Queensland.

Within New Zealand Rotarians are offering to host people traumatized by personal tragedies, the destruction and ongoing aftershocks so that they can get away to rest before trying to rebuild their shattered lives. That is being coordinated within Rotary and through welfare agencies.

Margaret Reeves, District Governor for Rotary in Canterbury, says the continuing aftershocks are frightening and people are naturally concerned for their loved ones. She says 100% of money donated through Rotary will be channelled into the areas of greatest need now and over coming months.

Please make donations to the Rotary New Zealand Canterbury Earthquake Appeal via

·         Rotary New Zealand World Community Service www.rnzwcs.org, where there is a PayPal credit card facility

·         or internet banking to Westpac 03 1702 0192208 02 ( international donors will require Swift Code WPACNZ2W) 

·         or by cheque made payable to RNZWCS Limited posted to PO Box 20309, Christchurch, New Zealand 8543

For more information please contact:

Felicity Anderson

RI Public Image Resource Group Zone 7B regional coodinator

Tel: +64 9 307 2213 wk

Cell: +64 21 22 40 520

Email: felicity@triocommunciations.co.nz

www.rotary.org