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Student volunteers in the Christchurch suburb of Shirley. - Source: Getty Images -
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The Student Volunteer Army have significantly curbed their operations in Christchurch as they return to study.
A final push for volunteers last Sunday resulted in 500 helping to clean up parks and private properties throughout the earthquake-ravaged city.
Student Volunteer Army (SVA) spokesperson Sam Johnson says the service has had a "phenomenal" effect on the people of Christchurch since the February 22 quake.
The SVA helped to clear a total of 260,000 tonnes of silt, deliver 21,000 chemical toilets, and drop off over 500,000 pamphlets, as well as laying sandbags.
"The SVA became a platform of co-ordinated volunteering that allowed volunteers of all ages to be safely deployed and effectively involved in the restoration of people's lives," Johnson said.
While the focus had been the "cosmetic work" such as clearing liquefaction, the value of the students' work extended much further into mental heath and welfare spheres.
"We actively encouraged students to spend time speaking with residents about their experiences and offering them assistance both inside and outside the home or directing them to the specialists who were able to help," he said.
"We're extremely proud of everyone who has helped make this project a success, whether shovelling, baking a cake, fund-raising or just being the voice of encouragement at the end of the phone. We really do appreciate what everyone has done."
Around 80% of volunteers were students from the University of Canterbury and the remainder made up from community members, high school students, Christchurch Polytech and Lincoln University Students.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the battalion of more than 6,000 volunteers offered incredible support to Civil Defence.
"Without hesitation, these students and volunteers have rolled up their sleeves day after day to help those in need in our community," Parker said.
"Volunteers' lives have all been affected by this earthquake too but they have put their own issues aside for the benefit of helping others and that demonstrates the outstanding community spirit that exists in our city. They are my heroes and I am proud of each and every one of them."
While the volunteer army are no longer recruiting for new volunteers, they will continue to offer support to the city, through the delivery of pamphlets to homes that NZ Post cannot access, helping to deliver chemical toilets to those in need, hosting a number of community events and the distribution of funding.
People looking for ways to offer help, or needing to
request help such as in the removal of silt, should contact
Volunteering Canterbury on 03 065 6943, or visit
Facebook
.
You can also register on
Trade Me
.
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