Letters

The success of The Village Cafe’s “Concert for Kaikoura”, much assisted by the  cafe owners’ sponsorship, is probably well known by now, but the district’s generosity was being seen much sooner.  

Within three weeks of North Canterbury’s 14 November earthquake, Trish Higginson had the town’s cafes donating over $1,000 through her “$1-a-cup” Coffee Day initiative.    Just 3 days later, Vicki Jones was gathering in $355 by koha at her Martinborough Community Choir pre-Christmas performance.    

Then Vicki, along with husband Ed Allen, both NZSO musicians, held a concert of classical music in their home.     That was on 13 December and $500 was raised.    Right after, on 17 December, Fiona Couchman’s collection boxes at the Christmas Parade/Carols in the Square were producing a further $250.   These moneys all went off to Kaikoura, via the Red Cross or to the special fund set up by the District Mayor.

So there had been several bursts of generosity before “Jazz in Martinborough” held its “Concert for Kaikoura”, a major event netting $8,660.74.   By dipping into funds held by Martinborough Events Trust, the Kaikoura Earthquakes Mayoral Relief Fund was able to receive the nicely rounded sum of $10,000.   In all, this town and district donated $11,605 in December and January.    
Well done Martinborough!