By Sue Newman September 9 2010

As the days tick by post earthquake, people around the Ashburton District are getting on with their lives. Yes, we're still experiencing a host of aftershocks, but in the greater scheme of things, life has returned pretty quickly to almost normal for most of us. And that means, now that we know things are okay on home turf, we're able to think about friends and family who live just up the road in Christchurch.

For many in the city, life will never be the same. Some have lost their homes, others their place of work and for those who have escaped relatively unscathed, there is the fear and the trauma that will remain for a very long time.

The Christchurch earthquake is a drama that has been unfolding before our eyes, via television for days now.

It makes compelling viewing, but it also hammers home again and again, the real devastation that occurred. For many people that is simply adding to the terror they are trying to overcome.

Christchurch will be a city in shock for many, many months.

For some people the trauma of the quake may be life long if the issues surrounding the event are not dealt with in the coming weeks. Counselling may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it might be the course of necessity for many, particularly children.

On the home front, our own children, by and large will have come through the quake in good shape.

They might have had a temporary fright, but the world as they know it is still standing.As the gap between the event and today widens, many people will be wondering what they can do to help Christchurch people.

There's a general feeling of helplessness, but by contacting Civil Defence, it seems the one thing that is needed more than anything else, is money.

Yes, people might be short on household supplies, but to handle a huge influx of these goods, a warehouse and warehouse staff are needed. Right now, neither are available. If we want to help out, then we need to do it through our back pockets

The official appeal channel is through the Red Cross, by phoning 0900 33 200 or at any branch of Post Shop Kiwibank, ANZ, National, ASB, BNZ and TSB throughout New Zealand. Donations can also be made at any Red Cross service centre or branch. Every cent donated goes to the appeal.