APN Media donates $400k to quake fund

APN's Rick Neville presents a cheque to Red Cross chief executive John Ware. Also pictured are Monique Maynard with daughter Jess and Red Cross earthquake commission chairman Sir John Hansen. Photo / Geoff Sloan

A special earthquake publication produced by APN New Zealand Media has raised $300,000 for families in need.

Earthquake, September 4, 2010 was produced by The Star's editorial team in the days following the quake, with assistance from staff at other APN divisions around New Zealand.

APN New Zealand Regional Newspapers chief operating officer and editor-in-chief Rick Neville presented the donation to the Red Cross on Monday.

It followed an earlier one-off donation of $100,000, bringing APN's total contribution to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal fund to $400,000.

More than 70,000 copies of Earthquake were sold, requiring several print runs in Christchurch and Auckland.

The cost for the final - and unplanned - print run was funded through the generosity of a private Canterbury benefactor.

Mr Neville said the response to Earthquake had been "phenomenal".

"We were proud to bring our teams together very quickly to produce a very fine commemorative publication which families will keep for years.

"It has generated a substantial sum to help Canterbury people affected by the earthquake," he said.

Avonside Drive resident Monique Maynard said the relief fund had proved valuable. Her family home of 11 years has to be torn down because of the damage it sustained.

She and daughter Jess, 12, are now renting on the other side of the city. "We certainly appreciated the financial assistance. It provided some relief in what was a very difficult time," she said.

$400k quake fund donation

Mayor Bob Parker said APN's donation was "gratefully received" by the city.

"It's money that is going to be very important in the next two years...insurance won't cover all of this."

Mr Parker said the September 4 earthquake had already become part of the story and history of Christchurch. "This is the biggest single challenge faced by the city, certainly in my lifetime. It (Earthquake) is certainly an innovative and brilliant way to mark that," he said.

Red Cross chief executive John Ware said APN's donation would take the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal fund to over $20 million. "It is significant. Every bit counts and the way you did it was terrific," he said.

Mr Neville also paid tribute to the the retailers who sold Earthquake : Fresh Choice, SuperValue, New World, Pak'N Save and Countdown supermarkets, and The Warehouse.