Farmy Army/SVA aim for big push Thursday and Friday

With over 300 farmers, university students, school students and the army working in Christchurch today, both the Farmy Army and Student Volunteer Army (SVA) are aiming for a big push on Thursday and Friday. This will include both organisations appearing on TV2’s The Erin Simpson Show tomorrow to encourage volunteers from as wide a spectrum as possible.

“It’s been a Herculaneum effort and with Thursday and Friday marking the final phase of Farmy Army/SVA joint operation, we need Christchurch out in force with us,” says John Hartnell, Federated Farmers earthquake spokesperson.

“In the field today there were been over 300 volunteers. We’ve been working wheelbarrow to shovel with the New Zealand Army and pupils from Christchurch Boys High School and St Bede’s College.

“These high school pupils have mucked in without complaint and with enthusiasm. They’ve done themselves and their schools proud.

“In order to encourage as many volunteers as possible, both the Farmy Army and the SVA will be on TV2’s Erin Simpson Show tomorrow working on a house in Bexley.

“What we’re trying to do is to get as many young people joining us for the last two days of the Farmy Army/SVA joint operation. There’s so much people of all ages can do to really make a difference.

“I’d also like to ask all media, especially those in Christchurch, to ask their readers and listeners to join us at the A+P Showgrounds in Curletts Road from 7am Thursday and Friday.

“We don’t want to leave people in the lurch and it takes just a few hours of time to put a big smile on the face of fellow Cantabrians,” Mr Hartnell concluded.