Last chance to volunteer to help clear silt in eastern Christchurch

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker is encouraging people to volunteer again this weekend to help clear silt in the city's worst-affected eastern suburbs.

The organised clean up of silt from private properties by the Student Volunteer Army and other volunteers will end on Sunday 3 July. "There may still be a number of people who require assistance to remove silt from their properties, and we want to ensure they are helped this weekend. We wish to encourage other groups, including workplaces, business, schools, church groups, sports teams, and individuals to help volunteer and assist the Student Volunteer Army one last time this weekend," Mayor Parker says.

People who are interested in volunteering to help clean up silt can still do so by reporting to the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds staging area (entrance off Curletts Road) between 9am and 12pm on Saturday 2 July and Sunday 3 July to be assigned jobs. Alternatively, they can email letmevolunteer@gmail.com. Volunteers are asked to use their own transport and to wear appropriate footwear and clothing. They should also bring a shovel and, if possible, a wheelbarrow.

People wanting to donate food for the volunteers should take it to the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds, entrance off Curletts Rd.

Anyone who cannot clear the silt from their property to the road by themselves should request assistance at the website www.sva.org.nz or call the Christchurch City Council call centre on 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 .

Mayor Parker says the volunteers' contribution has been invaluable in organising the clearance of thousands of tonnes of liquefaction from the city.

Sand placed on the roadside will still be cleared by contractors in the next couple of weeks. Residents are asked to contact Council call centre on 941 8999 or 0800 800 169 by Monday 11 July 2011 to ensure collection.