Russell Crowe throws weight behind Christchurch appeal

Actor Russell Crowe with All Blacks coach Graham Henry during the Fill the Basin for Canterbury charity cricket match. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Actor Russell Crowe has lent his support to the official Christchurch earthquake appeal.

"At 12.51 on February the 22nd, Christchurch, a city that my family's called home in the past, was ripped apart by a violent earthquake," he said in a

video posted yesterday

.

"Christchurch continues to hurt."

He then went on to say a special spirit had "risen from the rubble", and urged people to donate in order to keep that spirit alive.

Earlier this month, he coached the Canterbury team for the "Fill The Basin for Christchurch" Twenty20

charity match.

Mark Weldon, the Prime Minister's personal representative on the Appeal, echoed Mr Crowe's call for support.

"We're grateful to Mr Crowe for raising awareness in this way.

"All who have visited Christchurch will tell you the same thing: while there is incredible resilience and positivity everywhere, the task ahead of us to rebuild the city, and community, is huge.

Donations can be made at

www.quakeappeal.com

.

- NZHERALD STAFF