A group of pupils from Kaiapoi Borough School will get a brief respite from the stress of aftershocks thanks to the Picton and Blenheim branches of Westpac bank.
Kaiapoi school is one of many damaged by the series of earthquakes in Canterbury.
The trip for 20 pupils to the Chipmunks Playland in Christchurch is the Marlborough response to The Big Chip In for Christchurch, a national event running today by the bank.
Messages from customers and staff will also be sent to Christchurch.
The event encouraged people and businesses to dress in black and red and do small things for the people of Canterbury, like calling friends and family or sending flowers.
Westpac Blenheim branch assistant manager Carly Deller said staff were contributing for the pupils to get in to Chipmunks and for their food.
The school was chosen because it was badly affected after the earthquakes, she said.
Principal Ash Maindonald said news of the trip lifted the spirits of staff because it showed people were thinking about them.
"I went into the staff room after I got the call [from Westpac] and everyone thought it was lovely and encouraging."
A class of the youngest children had been chosen to go on the trip, probably early next term, he said.
The almost 500 pupils at the school were dealing with the earthquakes and aftershocks in different ways, he said.
Staff at the Picton and Blenheim Westpac branches are wearing specially made red-and-black shirts today to support the cause.
People are also able to buy items from Christchurch businesses today through the Facebook page facebook.com/bigchipin.
Video messages of support can also be uploaded to YouTube or posted on the facebook page and will be joined by other messages from well-known New Zealanders.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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