I was wondering if anyone knows of any charity in which I can join up with so I can fly out there and help in an organised way?
It's shocking with what's happened and I'd like to help those in need.

I would not know myself but hope you get the information you need soon. Good Luck to getting there and a prayer for those in need.

Thanks. Some work colleagues want to help and go out too, so if anyone has any contacts for us to get out there with an organised charity we'd be up for it. I'd be happy to pay for my own flight too.

You may be able to find our more info from the Urban Search and Rescue division of the Fire Brigade - they are the ones who use specially trained dogs to help out in such situations and I know that the Kent dogs have been to other countries helping locate survivors at previous disasters. They may be able to point you in the right direction.

I expect they are inundated with questions but what about NZ embassy or the equivalant.

My company has offices world wide. Australia, New Zealand, Eygpt, India amongst them. Today a new page was put on the company intranet. It gave suggestions for procedures in cases of terrorism or natural disaster, strongly advising that we should all have a plan.  Made me shiver.
But it occured to me if your company was multi national that maybe they could point you in the right direction.

good luck sj I hope you find what you need to go and help. I am glad there are people like you who cangive hands on help

Try the Canterbury Students Association, I read they will be looking for volunteers over the next couple of days....they did the same for the Sept earthquake..

One lot fom Hampshire Fire & rescue flew out this morning. My son reports that its really bad and the whole centre is so dangerous that a curfew has been set.

Yes, so many of the buildings are now unstable, and with the continuing aftershocks....my father said they are happening every 15 minutes.

My son is on North Island and they are still trying to contact some of my Nephew's mates. Its so so sad and Ben says it feels so awful when it is in the same country. I hope more good stories to come of survivors but I fear the worst.

It is dreadful, terribly sad...  my son is flying out next week to go and help, will be gone for 7 weeks.

Is he with Fire & Rescue? Terry may go down to help with electricity supplies ect and take his Gofer Ben. They all just want to help and are really shaken at seeing something like this close at hand. We are lucky here!

No, he will just be doing voluntary work, whatever needs doing, clearing streets, people's gardens, etc.  My Dad said there is plenty of people needing help out there...

Just speaking to my Dad half an hour ago, he said they had another two quakes measuring over 4 afternoon just gone, and another one while I was on the phone to him.  So awful, he said the houses are not worth the ground they stand on now, and no insurance company will insure anyone that now buys a house anywhere in the South Island.

Yes I heard that and a lot didnt have insurance from the last quake so its a real problem.
My local rugby team (London Isish) have two members from NZ one from Christchurch & his family are homeless so there is a special collection at half time, I'll make sure Ive got cash on me.

Lets hope that all will be well, there a tough lot in NZ and will not let this beat them, and we thing Govt cuts are bad.....