Appeal Trust thanks SKY Television for generous $1 million pledge

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust today celebrated two milestones as SKY Television announced a generous $1 million pledge to the Appeal, and investigative work commenced in Kaiapoi on the $2 million project to restore the Kaiapoi Riverbanks.

Prime Minister John Key accepted SKY Television’s $1 million pledge on behalf of the Appeal in Kaiapoi and joined the Waimakariri District Council today as it began geotechnical testing, signalling the start of the riverbank restoration project.

SKY Television is donating $200,000 annually for the next five years to the Appeal to support sport and recreation projects particularly for school-aged children. The company will work with Sport Canterbury and the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust to select projects each year with the funding administered through the Appeal Trust. The first recipient is Cashmere Technical Football Club which will receive $200,000 to fund field repairs at Garrick Park in Christchurch.

“The Appeal is still receiving generous donations every month, even though it’s more than two years since the February earthquakes. We are tremendously grateful for them and it means the Trustees can fund even more projects to support Canterbury’s continuing recovery,” says Trustee Colin MacDonald.

The Kaiapoi Riverbanks restoration is the first of the Appeal Trust's Large Permanent Projects – announced 4 April 2013 - to commence. It will include the repair of pathways significantly damaged by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, as well as provide other public spaces and amenities along the river through Kaiapoi township.

Appeal Trustee Colin MacDonald says, “Trustees dedicated $2 million to increase the scope of the riverbanks restoration and ensure it could start sooner rather than later, so we are pleased to see the Waimakariri District Council making progress. This is a great project and it will leave a legacy in Kaiapoi, thanks to the thousands of people around the world who donated to the Appeal.”

The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal has to date raised more than $100 million in pledged and received funds. The Appeal Trust has approved $61 million for projects, while a further $8 million has been pledged for specific purposes and projects. Projects funded to date include: water attractions at the new Christchurch City Council sports centre for the eastern suburbs; restoration of the Arts Centre; the Re:START mall; the Temporary AMI Stadium; ICT equipment for primary school children; St John emergency equipment; Isaac Theatre Royal; repairing sports fields and netball/tennis courts.

A full list of projects funded by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust is available here http://christchurchappealtrust.org.nz/Running-list.

Waimakariri projects funded by the Appeal Trust include: Kaiapoi Aquatic Centre, temporary business accommodation in Kaiapoi and Rangiora, Cure Boating Club, and Coastguard Waimakariri-Ashley Lifeboat; jointly with Vodafone New Zealand Foundation, the Appeal Trust has funded Kaiapoi BMX Club, North Canterbury Rugby League Club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Canterbury, and transporting children to swimming lessons at the nearest pool - Dudley Park Aquatic Centre.

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