New Zealand Quake : Fund launched to help Christchurch quake victims

MNZCC chairman Richard Tankersley says all Malaysians are welcome to contribute.

KUALA LUMPUR: A fund to help earthquake victims in Christchurch was set up here yesterday.

The fund, initiated by the Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (MNZCC), will channel money to relief organisations helping the quake victims in New Zealand.

MNZCC chairman Richard Tankersley said the fund was established to facilitate contributions of not only businessmen and alumni, but all Malaysians nationwide.

Introducing the fund in Balai Berita here yesterday, Tankersley said the MNZCC collaborated with Malaysian graduates from New Zealand universities and also the Malaysian Australian New Zealand Association to set up the fund.

"Many Malaysians and Malaysian companies have business links with New Zealand. As the earthquake has had a disastrous effect on businesses in the country, we hope they will come forward to help ease the sufferings," he said.

Former Colombo Plan scholar Teoh Lay Hock, who studied geology in New Zealand, said: "New Zealand and the people have been very generous to us in the past, and this is the way we should reciprocate their kindness.

"To date, an alumni from Victoria University of Wellington had pledged NZ$25,000 (RM57,305 ) to kick off the fund."

Just as the city of Christchurch was starting to return to normalcy after an earthquake six months ago, another lethal earthquake struck on Feb 22.

Those wishing to contribute can:

- Send your cheque written out to the "Christchurch Earthquake Disaster Fund" to Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, c/o Unit 18E, Level 2, Lot 18, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur; or

- Pay into the "Christchurch Earthquake Disaster Fund" CIMB Account No. 14250005676050 and fax, email or post the pay-in slip to: Malaysia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, c/o Unit 18E, Level 2, Lot 18, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur , Tel: 6-03-2144 2422 Fax: 6-03-2144 1422 email: info@mnzcc.org.my (Contact person: Executive officer Alphonsa Mariadass).

For more information on the fund, call Tankersley (0192212222 or email to rntank@tm.net.my) or Teoh Lay Hock (0125005779 or email to teohfam@gmail.com).

Read more: Fund launched to help Christchurch quake victims http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/10anm/Article#ixzz1FNTTblsh