April 14, 2011

Footballer David Beckham sends his love to Christchurch

Football star David Beckham and Kiwi musician Franko Yates have joined a large number of international stars urging people to help Christchurch.

“On February 22nd at 12.51, a terrible earthquake struck that beautiful city and I encourage everyone to support this Appeal and help the thousands of people who lost their lives and have been torn apart,” David Beckham says in a video clip. “Please, donate today.”

You can see the video at www.facebook.com/ChristchurchEarthquakeAppeal

And Kiwi musician Franko Yates, who wrote the song ‘We are One’ used in the video, will donate all proceeds from the sale of the song to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

“I am totally stoked to be helping with the relief effort, even in this small way. ‘We Are One’ is a song about bringing everyone together - thinking about ourselves as a nation instead of four million separate people. That’s just so important at this time.”

“I’d urge everyone to give to the Appeal.”

Franko’s song was also used in an earlier celebrity call to action video ‘Christchurch Stay Strong’, organised by Sarah Robb-O’Hagan, Chief Marketing Officer of Gatorade, and Phil Keoghan, host of The Amazing Race. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7-ih-_6xTw)

Mark Weldon, the Prime Minister’s personal representative on the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, said Franko’s message ‘We Are One’ went to the heart of the Appeal.

“It’s so important that we don’t forget about Christchurch as life moves on after the rescue phase.

“Christchurch still needs us. People like David Beckham - and celebrities like Lance Armstrong and Pete Townshend from the earlier video - recognise that, and we’re grateful to them for lending their support in this way.”

“The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal will be with Christchurch through the hard times.”