Red Cross earthquake fund reaches $17 million

9:17 am on 9 October 2010

The Red Cross says $17 million has now been donated to its Canterbury Earthquake Commission Fund.

About $1.5 million has so far been been given in grants to residents in need.

A commissioner for the fund says more money is coming in every day.

Michael McEvedy says families and individuals will experience hardship in the next year as a result of the quake, and the fund will be there for them.

The Red Cross say people will be able to apply for hardship grants more than once.