More than 250 people gathered at the Cardboard Cathedral on Tuesday for a night of jazz and refugee story sharing in support of those suffering in Syria's current war crisis.
The World Vision event 'Songs for Syria' was co-organised by church worker Simon Hart and teacher aide Callum Steward-Ward, two ordinary men who felt like they needed to respond to the Syrian civil conflict when they saw the news coverage.
Callum Steward-Ward said seeing such a big turnout was inspiring because it showed that Christchurch cared, "We underestimated how many people would actually show, we even had to bring out more chairs to put at the back."
Callum said that it's great to raise money but its also about making people aware so we can stand in solidarity with our Syrian brothers and sisters in a time of need.
He said that due to earthquakes, Christchurch has experienced collective trauma. "It's pain but it brings people together."
"If anyone can understand what it's like to suffer as a people, it's the people of Christchurch," Callum said.
