Hamilton volunteers fly to Christchurch as part of Neighbourhood Muck-In campaign

Hamilton woman Wendy Sutton is prepared to get her hands dirty and stuck in to whatever is thrown her way.

The Newstead mother of three is on her way south next week to lend a hand in rebuilding Christchurch as part of the Genesis Energy Neighbourhood Muck-in campaign.

Ms Sutton is one of 50 Hamiltonians chosen to fly to Christchurch to help rebuild the city.

Some jobs volunteers can expect are repainting schools and kindergartens, rebuilding gardens and talking to elderly citizens.

“I have friends and family in Christchurch and all we offer is words of sympathy. We realise a natural disaster can happen unannounced and affect each and every one of us. Now I can actually do something physical to help,” Ms Sutton says.

The Muck-in campaign is aimed at giving a number of ordinary New Zealanders the opportunity to help rebuild the city and experience first-hand the devastation caused by February’s quake.

Public Affairs Manager for Genesis Energy, Richard Gordon said his company has donated $1 million to Christchurch and will work alongside the Red Cross, giving 50-60 people from Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin the opportunity to help out.

“We have been working alongside the Red Cross since the earthquake hit. We wanted to come up with something that would get the community involved in making a difference down in Christchurch.”

Ms Sutton, who saw the advertisement in the paper during the school holidays, said she is prepared to help out with a range of things while in Christchurch and is looking forward to meeting the other volunteers and ‘mucking-in’.

“Whether I’m painting, digging, replanting, talking – that’s probably my best skill – I am just happy to be down there making a difference and I hope I bring a bit of national comradeship to the people of Canterbury.

“We will leave at 6.50 in the morning and will be back at eight at night. I don’t know anyone else who’s going, so will look forward to meeting some fellow volunteers.”

Mr Gordon said it could be possible this event will happen annually.

“We are definitely not ruling out the idea that this could be more than just a one-off thing. It would be a pretty cool thing to do once a year.”

For Ms Sutton, the opportunity will allow her to experience directly the destruction left by the quake.

“I think it’s wonderful for Genesis Energy to give me and others the opportunity to see first-hand the devastation down there. It’s all very well to watch it on the television and go ‘oh my gosh’ but to be there in amongst it, I think I’ll be in for a bit of a shock.”

Genesis Energy has an ‘internal staff volunteer programme’ which allows 1000 Genesis Energy staff to take one day off in the year to help with charity work in cities all over the country.