Cover of Robin WilliamsAmerican actor and comedian Robin Williams mixed comic relief with earthquake relief at his recent show in Christchurch, New Zealand recently.And Williams announced that all proceeds from his recent stand-up comedy performance at the C B S Canterbury Arena would go to earthquake rebuilding projects.
The money is to be shared between the Canterbury quake fund administered by the Red Cross and the Christchurch City Council's mayoral building fund.
He said it was devastating what happened in Christchurch, but from what he learned, the people there are incredibly resilient. The first quake of 7.1 magnitude would have been traumatic enough, but he understood that since then, the people of Christchurch have experienced close to 3000 aftershocks. The quake and aftershocks were an "unmanageable trauma".
Robin Williams hoped his donation would go some way to help the rebuilding effort in the city. Red Cross national marketing manager, Paul Socringe , said Williams donation was wonderful news.
The earthquake fund had now reached about $19.4 million dollars, of which $4.4 million had already been paid out. Applications for another $2.5 million had also been received.
A group of Kiwis working in London had raised $15,000 towards the earthquake fund too.
Donations had peaked, aside from the Robin Williams show, Band together CD sales and corporate grants.
Mr Socringe said they wanted to communicate thank-you messagas to all concerned to the rest of NZ on behalf of Canterbury, and to Canterbury for the generosity that has come through. He said it was quite amazing.
As a Canterbury boy myself, despite being away for forty odd years, I don't find it unusual at all. I would like to thank everybody who has made donations as well. There is a huge task to rebuild Christchurch and surrounding districts - the face of the city will never be the same.
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