Christchurch family met with generosity after ‘horrid’ looting, more than $30k raised

The Mill family fled their Bower Avenue house in fear of a tsunami striking their New Brighton suburb following the 7.5 magnitude quake.

But fear turned to despair as they arrived back home five hours later to find looters had stolen their television, an x-box and other valuable property, including their 12-year-old daughter's wireless microphone system which she needs for a hearing impairment.

The Mills have been met with incredible generosity. Photo: Facebook
Melissa Hill said she and her husband decided to flee the home with their two daughters because the youngest one has muscular dystrophy.

"It's really horrid. We took our family away to be safe and came back to all of this… it's just devastating,” she told NZME.

By 9.30pm on Monday, 757 donations had been made to the family totalling $30,425.00.

Meanwhile, NZ First leader Winston Peters has condemned several acts of looting, asking for tough new laws.

Christchurch police has received three reports of burglaries, which "appear to have occurred while people were evacuated following the earthquakes," said Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price.

"Parliament, when it resumes tomorrow, should condemn these acts, and agree to pass legislation that will deliver a sentence that will make anyone else, when tempted, think twice," Peters told NZME.

"These individuals are preying on others during periods of extreme stress and tragedy … that anyone would rob others at a time of such crisis is evil."

"Let's make a commitment to do something."

The Mill family left their home around 2am and returned five hours later only to find it had been looted.

The first thing they noticed was that the work truck was gone.

"Then we saw the front door was open, the side door, the garage door and the sleepout," Melissa Mill added.

Residents in affected areas were told to flee to higher ground after a tsunami alert. Source: AP Images
Hill says the item is worth around $5000 and customised to her daughter so would be of no use to anyone.

"I feel absolutely devastated.

"It's really horrid. We took our family away to be safe and came back to all of this… it's just devastating."

The family's work truck is a silver Mazda BT50 with license plate EPP79, with roof racks.

"So sorry this happened — hope you're able to set up again quickly," one donor posted on the family's Givealittle page.

"All the very best. I hope, as many others have said on here already, that these donations ensure your faith in those around you is still alive and that there is more good in this world than bad," another said.

"My heart breaks for you guys — what an awful thing to happen! Best wishes to you all," another anonymous donor commented.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Christchurch police on 03 363 7400.