By Charles Coward
With the events, images and stories that were spread around the world following the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand on Feb. 22, a group of Kiwis (New Zealanders) working and living in Seoul decided that it was time to send some hope to those back home who are still struggling to come to terms with what has happened.
For this reason, the Christchurch Earthquake Fundraiser, an event organized to raise money for The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal will be held at Dicken’s Lounge in Itaewon above Scrooge Pub on Saturday, March 26.
In light of the more recent events in Japan after the huge magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resulting tsunami, the organizers have decided that a third of all the funds raised from the event that night will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society. The money donated will be distributed directly among the affected population of the earthquake and tsunami.
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal was set up by the New Zealand government to help the communities, families and people of the Christchurch and Canterbury region. The Appeal is designed to complement those already established, such as the funds organized by the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. It is the Governments intention to work alongside these organizations to make sure the funds are used in the best possible way.
The organizers have planned an event which will showcase some of the diverse cultures which represent the people of New Zealand. This will include kapa haka (New Zealand Maori), Cook Island, Tongan and Samoan performances, which will be running throughout the course of the night.
A number of businesses in Seoul as well as musicians and sports stars from New Zealand have come forward to donate vouchers, festival tickets, signed albums and various other items for the event. These will be raffled off in prize packages during the course of the evening and there will also be a silent auction for some very special prizes that will be announced at the event.
The “koha” (donation) for those wanting to attend the event is 20,000 won and organizers ask that they bring cash for the raffles and the silent auction.
Tickets can be purchased at the door.
The event begins at 6 p.m.
Dicken’s Lounge is a three minute walk from Itaewon Station (line 6), Exit 1. Go up the alley beside KFC, turn left, walk straight for about a minute and Dicken’s Lounge is on your left on the 3rd floor above Scrooge Pub.
The Christchurch Earthquake Fundraiser is still currently asking for donation items from local businesses towards the fundraiser, as spot prize giveaways, raffle prizes or silent auction items. Contact Charles or Renee at chchfundraiserseoul@gmail.com to make a donation or for more information checkout the Facebook page:
(https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=200136123345457)