NEW ZEALAND. Lagardère Travel Retail, which runs duty free and travel essentials stores at Christchurch Airport, has expressed its sadness at Friday’s terror attacks, and said it stands “united in mourning” with those lost or injured.
In a statement, the company said: “As the world watches on in disbelief at the shocking terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, our deepest sympathy goes out to those who sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Christchurch team, their families and loved ones, the wider Christchurch community, and all those affected by this recent tragedy.”
Lagardère Travel Retail has a 113-strong team that runs its Aelia Duty Free and seven travel essential stores at the airport. The company said that its team members are safe, “but very saddened by the news that extended family members and close friends have been lost in this tragedy”.
Today I and my team stand as one in mourning for those lost or injured in Christchurch and in support of their families and indeed of the Muslim world.Click to read more from The Moodie Blog |
It added: “The support of the global Lagardère Travel Retail family is with our teams in Christchurch, the airport team, together with the extended community, many of who are regular travellers through the airport.”
“For a country as inclusive and tolerant as New Zealand, this act of violence is unthinkable,” said regional CEO Przemek Lesniak. “Our thoughts, prayers and ongoing support are with our teams and the extended Christchurch community.”
Lagardère Travel Retail said it will activate donations from its staff and store network across the Pacific region to the Givealittle page set up by the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups.
*Footnote: As reported, The Moodie Davitt Report has made an immediate NZ$20,000 donation and respectfully urges others to do the same. If you would like to donate directly, either click here for a Givealittle page set up by the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups or here for details of The Christchurch Foundation, a city-run philanthropy scheme that will be creating a special ring-fenced fund in coming days.
“The Victims’ Support fund will be for the immediate [response],The Christchurch Foundation will work on rebuilding communities for the long term,” Mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel told The Moodie Davitt Report.
