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Tuesday 1 March 2011
BOWLING POPULARITY Page 21
Page 18-20
Going purple for earthquake victims Page 4
‘It’s the least we can do’ Mayors back drive to open accommodation for quake survivors
The Christchurch earthquake has devastated a city so closely linked with our own and now it’s time for Nelsonians to help, say the regions two mayors. Already dozens of businesses, groups, schools and regular Nelsonians have dug deep to support the cause with donations and fundraisers, and today the city is due to come to a standstill as people observe a two minute silence at 12.51pm, the time of the earthquake one week ago. Nelson has sent teams of emergency workers to Christchurch to help find survivors and recover bodies. Nelson City Council has also opened its camping grounds to Cantabrians seeking refuge from the aftershocks and damage to the garden city. And today Nelson Weekly jumps on board to do its bit. Plenty of people are offering houses and baches on TradeMe and Facebook and a new initiative, Quake Break, aims to do it in an easy and effective way says Weekly publisher Steve Page. “Folk are hurting and we need to do what we can to help. This is a way that will give people a chance to relax and de-stress in our beautiful region before returning to rebuild their city. “On our website, www.nelsonweekly.co.nz, is a simple link to fill in for Nelson and Tasman people who have a house to lend, free of charge to people needing a rest from Christchurch.” Quake Break is being run in conjunction with Radio Network, a Christchurch Newspaper, Richmond Mall and Nelson Weekly. Aldo and Richard say they are proud to see the way the region has responded to the crisis and both OPEN FOR CANTABS: Nelson mayor Aldo Miccio, left, and Tasman mayor Richard Kempthorne say they support councils will continue to help its southern neigh- Nelsonians opening their homes, baches and whatever else they have to offer, to earthquake-stricken Cantabrians over the coming months. Photo: Andrew Board. bours in any way it can.