Media Release 16 September 2012
Rebuild Christchurch Volunteers Help Get It Done

Freeville School was one community helped by volunteers yesterday in Christchurch.

The Rebuild Christchurch Foundation completed a Let’s Get It Done activity day where around fifty volunteers mobilised into the community to undertake small jobs including helping residents with sticky doors, assisting elderly people with their gardens and completing DIY repairs. Workers also helped on larger jobs such as removing belongings from houses due for demolition.

Twenty-five volunteers visited to Freeville School where students have been working with teachers for the past couple of weeks to identify jobs for volunteers to complete. After the news on Thursday that Freeville School may merge with New Brighton North School, Rebuild Christchurch’s Deon Swiggs says the students were quite upset.

“One of them said “they aren’t going to help us anymore are they?” which was extremely sad. By committing to help this school we are providing a positive focus for the children and residents in the community, many of who have been the worst affected by the earthquakes, and now this time of massive uncertainty due to the news last week,” he says.

In support of this Let’s Get it Done event, local building company Buildtech teamed up to provide builders and painters for the day.

“Buildtech with their expertise in working with Earthquake damaged properties in Christchurch has been a valuable asset supporting those who needed small jobs done,” says Deon Swiggs. Buildtech will be continuing over the week to finish some of the jobs that could not be finished today.

Buildtech Director, Israel Cooper says, "Buildtech is very pleased with its ongoing partnership with the Rebuild Christchurch Foundation, and the meaningful work it is doing for the recovery of Christchurch's worst affected communities. As a construction company involved in many aspects of Christchurch's reconstruction, Buildtech is very proud to be able to provide the physical support and resources necessary to ensure all communities in Christchurch see recovery and restoration."

Deon Swiggs said the success of the day was the result of the incredible focus and selflessness of the volunteers and the team working for the Rebuild Christchurch Foundation, which was established in September 2011

“It’s 2 years since the September quake and it is clear that there is still plenty to be done,” he says. “We must never forget how important our communities are. There is a lot of hurt within these communities and it is hoped that by providing positive activity, everyone will feel supported from within,” says Swiggs.
Since the September quake, Rebuild Christchurch, headed by Deon Swiggs and run completely by volunteers, has been active in helping communities rebuild and move forward.

The website rebuildchristchurch.co.nz has been a key tool in communicating and engaging with communities in the suburbs, as well as providing information from all of the main players in the rebuild effort, including the CCC, CERA, EQC and central Government.
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