The February 22nd Christchurch earthquake was an almost unimaginable disaster that truly shocked the whole nation. Keen to help, ACG schools swung into action organising a variety of fundraising activities. To date, ACG schools have raised over $15,000 and there are also various other ongoing and planned fundraising activities.

ACG Senior College

By 8am the morning after the earthquake, the SARC Committee (Social Awareness and Responsibilty Committee) had organised a Red Cross Appeal to enable ACG Senior College students to support those in need. Students who attended the ACG Leadership Day were presented with their first challenge and, after being asked to come up with a way of supporting Christchurch, instantly jumped into action. Within half an hour, they had outlined their project, organised the group into teams and were out on the streets of Auckland gaining goods to fill three student gift baskets to raffle. Local businesses supported with giveaways and this has been a real success, over $1,100 was collected in two and a half days. Further earthquake appeal fundraising initiatives are also underway by the school.

ACG Parnell College

ACG Parnell College held a Cupcake Day on Monday 28th February, with all the proceeds going to earthquake relief. Students and parents baked hundreds of truly eye-catching and delicious cupcakes over the weekend, which were quickly sold to queues of ravenous pupils and staff alike! The proceeds of the upcoming Mufti Day are also all going to this worthy cause, plus the school is investigating further ways it can help. Over $5,000 has been collected so far.

ACG Strathallan

ACG Strathallan donned Canterbury colours to support the people of Christchurch. College, primary and pre-school students and staff dressed in red and black for the day to raise money for the earthquake appeal. Primary students also took their collection buckets out to the car park for additional donations from parents. Over $6,100 has already been raised, which includes $80 worth of 10 and 20 cent pieces from Year 1 student, Hannah Urquhart’s money box. With further fundraising activities planned, such as sausage sizzles and bake sales, ACG Strathallan will be able to make a significant contribution to the earthquake appeal.

ACG Sunderland

ACG Sunderland organised a “Black and Red” themed mufti day in support of the earthquake appeal. The students supported the cause wholeheartedly and a substantial figure of over $2,400 was raised. This amount may even be doubled as part of a ‘dollar for dollar’ Telecom fund raising initiative. The school leaders have many other enthusiastic ideas on how the school can further support the Christchurch relief project.

ACG Queen St Campus

International students in ACG NZIC, ACG Norton College and ACG English School based at 345 Queen St Campus dug deep into their pockets to give generously to those affected by the earthquake. They realised that it was not only New Zealanders involved. Many have friends in Christchurch, and just like the rest of us, they were anxious to know they were safe. The work of Red Cross and Red Crescent is known throughout the world and students were glad to know their effort to help in Canterbury would make a difference. Students from China remembered the earthquake that hit their country in 2008 and knew that ACG International Colleges gave generously to that appeal. An excess of $1700 has been collected to date.