Christchurch Quake Appeal will channel funds into the heart of the Christchurch community, with seven core areas identified for support.

Mark Weldon, who is spearheading the appeal, said donations were beginning to grow, including money from the ‘Fill the Basin’ charity cricket match on Sunday.

The fund has already raised $8.5 million. Donations can be made at www.quakeappeal.com

Prime Minister John Key today announced seven categories where the fund would invest to restore communities. They are: Hardship and Relief, Heritage and culture, Sport and Recreation, Education, Spiritual and Faith, Economic Revitalisation, Environment.

Mr Weldon said: “Tomorrow starts here. This is money that will go to the heart of Christchurch communities, on projects and services that can sometimes fall through the gaps, but that matter to individuals and families: rugby clubs, community halls, school equipment, churches, arts centres, marae, and cleaning up Christchurch’s beautiful parks and rivers.”

“These things are essential for Christchurch. They are ways that New Zealanders, and the rest of the world, can make a real difference to the lives of the people of Christchurch.

“It is also important to be clear about where this money is not going to go: it is not for essential services like roads, bridges, and water systems that are the reserve of the government.

“This fund will receive donations and distribute them efficiently,” he said.

The seven categories of the Christchurch Quake Appeal:

Hardship and Relief To assist individuals, families and households in need, including: trauma counselling, relocation to or within Christchurch, temporary housing, replacement of equipment for the disabled.

Heritage and culture For the preservation of heritage and to assist all cultures and cultural activities, including: community meetings, festivals, cultural activities, heritage buildings, libraries, galleries, statues and public art, civic square, marae, commemorative material, cultural artefacts.

Sport and recreation Maintaining sport and recreation, including: community facilities (halls and equipment), club houses, fields and turf, stadiums, equipment, team participation activities.

Education For the advancement of education, including: books, computers, replacement with potential for improvement, home schooling, other equipment.

Spiritual and faith For the advancement of religion, including: places of worship, books, clothing, artefacts, musical instruments.

Economic revitalisation Rebuilding a vibrant Christchurch and Canterbury, including economic vitality and innovation, business support (excludes grants for personal or corporate profit).

Environment Restoring the physical and natural environment, including: parks, planting, community projects, clean up of rivers and other ecosystems.

• Donate as much or as little as you want online at www.Quakeappeal.com or make a $3 donation by texting 'chch' to '933'. The website will automatically generate an email receipt for your donation.

• Visit www.facebook.com/ChristchurchEarthquakeAppeal to find out more.

ENDS

© Scoop Media