A Media Release from the NZCC
The following is a Media Release from Warrick Cleine, Chairman of the NZ Chamber of Commerce regarding Thursday night’s Quake Fundraiser for Christchurch.
Ho Chi Minh City, 4 March 2011
NEW ZEALAND COMMUNITY IN VIETNAM RAISES NZD100,000 FOR CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
Vietnam’s small but passionate New Zealand community held a successful fundraiser in Ho Chi Minh City last night, raising almost NZD100,000 (USD67,000) that will be contributed to the Christchurch Earthquake relief effort.
Almost 500 eager supporters attended an evening at the Caravelle Hotel to participate in a live auction, charity raffle and social evening, with prizes donated by a range of companies based in Vietnam, and from the expatriate Kiwi community itself.
“It really is hard to comprehend the generosity of the people of this city and at such short notice. The hard work, commitment and working the midnight oil to make this possible is beyond belief”, said John Gardner, the General Manager of the Caravelle and a proud Cantabrian. Mr Gardner, who lost a dear friend in the earthquake, joined a group of enthusiastic Kiwis and their supporters to organise and host the event, which will be one of several held by the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam over the coming weeks.
“Tragic events such as this bring the whole expatriate and Vietnamese communities together. We feel far from home when tragedy strikes. Our desire to raise funds, and our need to bring everyone together to commemorate this tragedy made this an essential event”, said Warrick Cleine, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam. “The Chamber was quickly contacted by our friends at the Australian Chamber of Commerce with an offer of support, fresh from their Queensland Flood Relief effort, which was followed by many other offers from members of Vietnam’s diverse community groups.”
New Zealand’s Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Graham Sims, paid tribute to those lost in the quake, followed by a video message from Bob Parker, the Mayor of Christchurch. A message of support from the Prime Minister, John Key, was read to the crowd, following a minute’s silence to remember the victims of the quake.
“I have never been prouder to be a Kiwi than I am tonight”, concluded Mark Fraser, a prominent lawyer based in Ho Chi Minh City, and a significant contributor to the success of the evening.
-end-
The fundraising will continue today at the New Zealand Wine and Food Festival in Saigon. Will we crack the USD100K? Check back at this website for updates.
