Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency
Time: 1155 hrs 12 July 2007

Donations Sought For Taranaki Relief Fund

Picking up the pieces may be a long process for people who suffered property damage in last week's tornadoes, says New Plymouth Mayor and Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management Group spokesman Peter Tennent.

He is urging the public to donate to the Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund. Donations can be made at any branch of the BNZ.

"It was really fantastic that the public stepped forward in such numbers to help when the emergency first happened. But because it's no longer front-page news doesn't mean the problem is over," he says.

"The Disaster Relief Fund is the most practical way now of helping those families who are affected to get back on their feet."

The fund's trustees are the region's three mayors and the chairman of the Taranaki Regional Council. People needing assistance from the fund can get application forms from any District Council office.

Mr Tennent says the welfare centre at the Oakura Bowling Club will remain open until Friday (13 July). Its hours are 10am to 4pm. Also operating is the welfare helpline on 0800 779 997.

Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Recovery Manager Bev Raineis available for advice and information on 0800 736 222.

The Civil Defence emergency was declared at 8pm on 5 July and terminated at 10am on 7 July.

The Civil Defence Emergency Management Group says that as tarapaulins are removed from homes being repaired, home owners should phone the Emergency Management Office on 758 1110 to arrange to have them collected.

ENDS

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