Goldman Sachs gives $1m to Christchurch
The donation will provide 25,000 torch radios for quake-affected families and better training for Red Cross support staff.
Investment bank Goldman Sachs has donated $1 million to the Red Cross to help fund Christchurch earthquake projects.
The donation made today will be used to fund three key Red Cross projects, including staff training for the emergency response teams and a psychological training program to help volunteers as they support affected people through trauma situations.
It will also fund the distribution of 25,000 portable torch radios for Christchurch families to help households be better prepared as they continue to experience aftershocks.
New Zealand Red Cross chief executive John Ware welcomed the donation at a presentation in Auckland today.
Corporate donations were invaluable in assisting the Red Cross to provide support to Christchurch residents, he said, adding that many people in the city were reaching the end of their tether as a result of constant aftershocks.
“Our people in Christchurch did a magnificent job under the circumstances … we want to improve the ability of our teams to respond to emergencies.”
Goldman Sachs New Zealand chief executive Andrew Barclay said the donation was part of a donor-advised fund set up by the firm in 2007 to support selected charitable organisations.
Goldman Sachs partners contribute part of their annual remuneration to the fund, he said.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Red Cross Earthquake Appeal fund has reached $68 million, Mr Ware said, of which $50 million has already been distributed in the form of cash grants.
No administration costs were incurred in the appeal.
Duncan Bridgeman
Tue, 05 Jul 2011
Tue, 05 Jul 2011
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Goldman Sachs gives $1m to Christchurch
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