South Island Mayors Unite to Help Earthquake Victims

Marlborough Mayor Alistair Sowman has thrown his support behind a $400,000 charitable campaign aimed at helping his Christchurch counterpart Bob Parker raise money for the victims of the Canterbury earthquake.

Mr Sowman is backing ‘The Day the Ground Moved Like Jelly’ – an initiative established by Mud House Wines for the Christchurch Mayoral Earthquake Appeal.

The winery, which also sponsors Emirates Team New Zealand, has put together a special blend of Marlborough 2010 Sauvignon Blanc. The new wine also features a distinctive label – a drawing by 8-year-old Christchurch student Bella Kingi of her home following the earthquake.

Sowman says he is proud to work with Mud House on the campaign and offer his support to the victims of the September earthquake.

“The Christchurch earthquake caused widespread devastation and greatly affected our South Island neighbours. I’m excited to be involved with a charitable initiative which utilizes the very best of Marlborough produce and raises money for the people of Canterbury,” Sowman says.

Local Marlborough restaurateur Marcel Rood initiated ‘The Day the Ground Moved Like Jelly’ campaign as a ‘gift from Marlborough to our neighbours in Canterbury’. Mud House Wines led the project with numerous production, packaging and freighting companies also coming on board to offer their assistance.

Mud House Wine Group director Neil Charles-Jones says ‘The Day the Ground Moved Like Jelly’ is a unique way for the company to help in the wake of the disaster.

“We’re happy to contribute in whatever we can to the relief efforts and lend a helping hand to all the victims that have been affected by the earthquake,” says Charles-Jones.

The Marlborough 2010 Sauvignon Blanc specially blended by Mud House Wines is available in Countdown, Foodtown and Woolworths supermarkets nationwide from Monday October 18.