Help Christchurch refugee families and community sponsor groups after the shootings

Hearing Nick Regnault talk about the way his Christchurch community has been transformed by sponsoring three refugee families from Syria and Iraq has really inspired me. I believe in the power of community, and so does Nick.

Nick and the rest of the community sponsorship group from the South West Baptist Church have bonded with these families, welcoming them to New Zealand, providing so much support to help them build new lives here...and in the process, they've strengthened their friendships with each other too.

Nick will tell you of these refugee's ability to transcend language with humour, he'll tell you of their warmth of character, their huge love for their families and the talents they've brought to their new home, Christchurch. These are some of the first refugee families in New Zealand where everyday community organisations did the welcoming and settling.

Tragically, some of the newly sponsored refugee families lost their lives in the Christchurch shooting.

Nick’s community was lucky enough to know and love them. They welcomed them here from Syria last July. They become friends, neighbours, a support network -- they became like family.

In their grief, this community is still thinking of others. They want to ensure the community sponsorship programme that these refugees came to New Zealand on can help others find safety. The love and bonds that were formed by this community are testaments to the strength of a programme that wraps newcomers in immediate, and long-term, support.

The money raised will go towards setting up a community-led group that can grow and support community sponsorship for refugees in New Zealand. The community would also like to be able to provide more support services for refugees that come to New Zealand and to grow the capacity of communities to be engaged in resettlement through training, development and international partnerships with sponsorship engaged groups.

Thank you for helping to strengthen our communities with love, care, connection, diversity and compassion.