Civilians honoured during special 22 February service

The Christchurch City Council is presenting Christchurch Earthquake Awards to 136 individuals and organisations nominated by the public at a special service at North Hagley Park from 2pm next Wednesday 22 February.

The awards recognise people who undertook acts of kindness, service and heroism during the earthquakes of September 2010 and February 2011.

Mayor Bob Parker says these awards represent a selection of the community that stepped up during extraordinary times to support their community.

“The people and organisations receiving awards next week are just the tip of the iceberg of the heroes in our community who put their personal lives aside to aid strangers around them during the earthquakes.

“Given the varied nature of acts being recognised, we will be presenting awards to people who did very different things to support their community.

“As we take time to remember those souls whom we lost, it is also important to reflect on and publically thank the wonderful people in our community who went the extra mile at a difficult time. I hope that the residents of Christchurch will join me at this special service, which follows on from the Civic Memorial Service in Hagley Park, to do just that.”