More from Blake Skjellerup on Christchurch earthquake

AP Photo/New Zealand Herald, Mark Mitchell

After his Facebook updates, Blake Skjellerup has posted a longer article on Hypervocal about the Christchurch earthquake. ou can help: donations are welcome at the NZ Red Cross. Their website is HERE, but is not always available. An alternative is to donate via the British Red Cross HERE, or via the Australian Red Cross HERE.

Here's an extract from Blake's post:

It breaks my heart to be so far away and not be able to help those who need it. So I am taking to what I know best. For a city already struggling, the latest ‘quake is a blow to the morale of a truly great city. The city came together after the September ‘quake, and the city picked itself up. This time around, the damage is not only superficial — lives have been lost, and the city is unrecognizable.


New Zealand is a picture-perfect country, and Christchurch is no exception. Known as the Garden City, it truly is an amazing place to visit. Today is its darkest day and my thoughts go out to those who have lost loved ones. Disasters like this have everlasting effects on a city and its community, not only emotional and financial, but to the spirit of a community.

For those of you who have always wanted to visit New Zealand, I ask of you this: Save your pennies, rally your friends, and in a year from now, take that trip to the great down under.

Christchurch will welcome you as it seeks to revitalize the city and daily life. Those who have passed will not be forgotten, and in their honor, the city will continue to be the city they loved and called home.

Christchurch will need our love and care for years to come. As important as it is to rebuild the city physically, the rebuilding of the society as a whole will take time. I know that my city will be standing strong. Mother Nature hit us hard, but we will hit back with the rejuvenation of strong, proud city.

As Prime Minister John Key said: “We are a country of pioneers. Whether we came by waka, sailboat, or aeroplane, we came with the conviction that we could build a new life in this country. That great pioneering spirit will come to the fore in Christchurch over the coming months and years. Though lost lives will never be replaced, and though your city will never look the same again, you will rebuild your city, you will rebuild your lives, you will overcome.

Read in full HERE.

Donations are welcome at the NZ Red Cross. Their website is HERE, but is not always available. An alternative is to donate via the British Red Cross HERE, or via the Australian Red Cross HERE.