Earthquake victims appreciate concert

Christchurch mother Penny Roche hugged her children tightly at the Earthquake Extravaganza fundraising concert in Dunedin yesterday.

"My sister [Lynley MacArthur] rang me right after it hit and told us to get down to Dunedin. We waited till Wednesday, because part of you wanted to stay and see what happened," the Christchurch fitness trainer said.

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"But, after the 5.1 aftershock on Wednesday, that was it. I thought 'No more' and we came straight down. Everything you've heard is true. No-one is exaggerating.

"The aftershocks come in waves. You start relaxing and then there's another one. You can get four or five in a half-hour period. You get quite good at estimating the magnitude of them. You also get to know underneath your dining table very well."

Mrs Roche said her Queens Park home was not damaged.

"It was very selective in our area. A neighbour's house had sunk so much that my youngest son, Taylor, could reach up and put his hand on the roof. You feel guilty that your house hasn't been damaged.

"It's been absolutely terrifying for the kids. They've slept with me in the same room ever since it happened."

"Our dog, Molly, started yelping just before it happened," Jackson said.

"Christchurch people are incredibly grateful for what everyone's doing." Mrs Roche said.

"It's really brought the whole country together."

Mrs Roche said the family planned to return to Christchurch tomorrow, although her sons had other ideas.

"I don't want to go back, Mum," Jackson said.

Golden Centre Holdings manager Simon Eddy said the Earthquake Extravaganza was the latest in a series of fundraisers which together looked likely to have raised more than $10,000 for the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.

More than 1000 people attended the five-hour concert, Mr Eddy said.