Random act of kindness from one side of the city to the other for xmas

Vicki from Papanui

Hi

I'm aware earlier this year I put some posts up and I have since been wrongly accused of some very horrible things.

This Xmas I am following in my normal path of caring about others.

I came out of Avondale red zone and did a lot of volunteering and had a letter of commendation written by mayor bon Parker for all my hard work.

For the past couple of weeks I have been back and spending time at wainoni avonside community trust with betty Chapman community organiser and earthquake award recipient. She run lots of weekly events for people of the earthquake damaged areas mainly elderly. Most don't have a lot of money.

They are having their Xmas end of year lunch and paying $5 A head. Sixty have signed up for it. She has told me so far all they have been able to obtain is roast chicken and lettuce.

As an act of kindness I've been trying to find places to provide/donate salads, breads, deserts, Christmas crackers, presents but haven't got anywhere. I've bought little candy canes for them all so far. Betty has also said some will be lonely while the trust is closed for the month over Xmas so perhaps some could do visits or organise day trips.

Wouldn't it be nice if we from the north could pull together this Xmas and show some compassion and give these people still living in highly earthquake damaged areas and homes a Christmas to remember from this side of town.

I feel guilty as it's only a small number that I'm reaching out too but next year I want to do it on a larger scale as a weekend of acts of kindness involving businesses like gardeners, hair dressers, massages, hot pool vouchers, builders, etc.

Sometimes we forget six years on how bad it still is over there for some of them, I know some on this side of town have damaged houses but it is still horrific in some parts over there with loss of community centres businesses, like banks pulling out.

I take my hat off to those businesses trying so hard to do well and please support them in the brighton area before we loose them.

The lunch is this Wednesday at 878 avonside drive. Please message me if you can assist.

Have a safe merry Xmas and happy New Year and take it easy on the roads, be patient take extra time to get somewhere. Don't drink and drive we don't want casualties.

Please also don't forget sunscreen on everyone regularly as it's going to be a hot summer and the same with insect repellent I've been advised there's going to be a lot of biting insects about as we had hardly had any frosts this winter.

Lots of water for your animals and keep them in shaded areas, leave them at home preferably not in cars when it's hot.