Call for Applications for Disaster Relief Trust

The Manawatu-Whanganui Disaster Relief Trust is urging people needing help after the June Storm to get their funding applications in to their local councils.

Trust Chair Eric Linklater says the closing date for the Trust’s funding round is August 31.

“We’re aware that many who suffered damage in the storm may not have had the time to seek financial assistance due to their personal circumstances. I urge them to apply through their local authorities. The deadline is just a week away”, Mr Linklater says.

The Trust has so far distributed $336,818 towards meeting the immediate needs of people in the region hit hard by the storm event, focussing on welfare assistance in urban areas like Whanganui.

Whanganui has received $310,000, Manawatu $15,000, Rangitikei $10,318 and Horowhenua has been allocated $1500.

The Trust plans to allocate another $346,000 next month.

“The needs of some rural families across the region, particularly those in isolated areas in Whanganui have needed to be assessed by their local Councils, so we’ve held back some money to allow those assessments to be completed.”

Mr Linklater says the Trust also wants to help small business owners to recover and individual communities to clean up and do repairs but that can’t be done until more money comes in.

“More donations are needed. We’d just urge people to be as generous as possible. They can donate on line or through their local bank branch into our Westpac Bank account.”

The Westpac Bank account number is: 03 0728 0411355 00.

The Trust was set up following the 2004 floods. It considers applications from local authorities for funding. The Trust is administered by the Palmerston North City Council on behalf of the region.

ENDS

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