September 8 2010

Rodger Withell is a man on a mission.

He's taken the plight of Christchurch earthquake victims to heart and he's putting out a call for people around the district to help him load up a truck with food to take north.

While he plans to load his truck with lettuces from his hydroponic market garden, he knows that the need will be much greater than salad greens.

"I'm hoping any one with anything they can give – baking, blankets, anything, will donate and we'll load the truck up on Saturday and head out to Kaiapoi," he said.

He's putting out an appeal through Classic Hits radio station and through the Guardian, for donations of anything that might help make life a little easier for earthquake victims.

Goods can be dropped off at the Guardian or radio station and perishables will be whipped into his chiller to ensure they're in top condition for delivery on Saturday.

If the first run north is well supported, Mr Withell said he's keen to make a second trip, this time to Darfield.

Donating is as simple as dropping your items off to either media office on Burnett Street, in the Somerset Building.