Press release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 March 2011

Fashion industry reaches out to the children of Christchurch again

The constant barrage of disturbing media images, and the fact that most school-children were away from their parents at the time of the 22 February earthquake in Christchurch have created significant distress and trauma for the children, says Kids Fashion Review Editor Kate Gorman.

“The loss of life in Christchurch is shocking and frightening, especially for the children who have lost parents and friends. Their normal routines have been disrupted, they have had to flee from their homes, and many children have been relocated to unfamiliar schools. The healing that tentatively began following the September quake is now shattered for these children.”

In the wake of the 4 September earthquake, Kids Fashion Review raised $9,000 and handed out 1,000 care packages to Christchurch children who had lost their schools and homes. St Paul’s School Principal Chris Callaghan said in a media interview that the care packages, distributed to children in mid-September, “created a very positive feel throughout the school community”.

Last week, Kids Fashion Review raised $10,000 via a charity auction on Facebook, with brand-new items donated from retailers throughout Australasia. Kate will once again create care packages for the children who have been deeply traumatised by the most recent earthquake, and will begin distributing them this week. The money raised will be used to sponsor an event for the children of Christchurch.

“We will visit the hardest-hit areas and hand out care packages and brand-new clothing and toys from leading Australian and New Zealand designers,” says Kate. “Our Australian contacts have sent over numerous toys, clothes, and children’s items. But we are still in need of donations to brighten these children’s lives. We’d also love to hear from other companies who would like to work with us to hold a special event for the children.”

Kate, a Cantabrian who has been living in Wellington for the past 12 months and still owns a home in Christchurch, has been deeply affected by the earthquakes and their aftermath. Since the time of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake on 4 September, Kate has travelled to Christchurch approximately 20 times, and immediately returned to her hometown following the 22 February earthquake of magnitude 6.3. “I have refugees from the most recent earthquake living with me in Wellington, and all of my family and friends remain in Christchurch,” Kate explains.

For more information about Kids Fashion Review’s commitment to helping the children of Christchurch, or to donate products to the care packages, please contact editor@kidsfashionreview.co.nz

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