Nineteen supporters of the Provisional Rotary Club of Christchurch New Horizons, NZ got their first taste of Rotary in action on April 21.
Unable to tackle the task on their own, 83 year-old residents Gwen and Frank Sparks who, like many others in the garden city, take pride in having a bountiful vegetable garden, were overjoyed with the offer of help from some of Christchurch’s newest members of the provisional Rotary club.
Armed with wheelbarrows, forks, trowels and secateurs, New Horizons members and friends got stuck in and removed two trailer loads of vegetation from the overgrown section in South Brighton . They also lifted dahlia bulbs for next season, sprayed paths and driveways, and harvested two buckets of grapes and three buckets of potatoes - all in a mornings work.
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| Nicky Hudson and Matt Grace hard at work |
The first community project for New Horizons (which has been going for less than two months) was a great success, with members taking the opportunity to make a difference in earthquake ravaged Christchurch and got to know each other better.
Service Projects Leader for New Horizons Barbara Prentice commented, “not only did we give Frank and Gwen a very tidy garden, but they also had a lot of fun and enjoyed the whole experience.”
To ensure that Saturday’s efforts were not in vain, Age Concern has now been contacted “and we are hopeful they will be able to keep the place up to scratch now that we have cleared it,” Barbara added.
The Rotary Club of Christchurch New Horizons was developed as a direct result of the ongoing earthquakes, with community services stretched to capacity, many people just want to do something to help, and new business hubs are replacing damaged buildings across the city.
Unique to Christchurch
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| Martia Lowe clearing the section |
