Monique Bond returns to Victoria Park this weekend, drawn by the sense of community and the chance to honour a city that has become known for resolve and resilience.

Although she started running the Mitre 10 MEGA – A Run to Remember event in 2012, this will be the first year that Monique participates with her entire family – husband Gary and children John (16), Adyn (13) and Amie (11). She also has a very special connection to one of the event’s key sponsors: Shine Lawyers NZ Ltd.

“It’s wonderful to see everybody there…there’s a huge amount of friendship and sharing because everybody has been through the same experience. Even though it is seven years, it doesn’t feel like that…I’m still finding myself seven years out having conversations with people and it’s still very vivid for them.”

On the 22nd of February 2011, Monique was working in a central Christchurch building – and very motivated to escape as soon as the intensity of the quake was clear.

She found a stairwell and felt a sense of relief, until a glass door fell on her as she tried to exit.

In spite of injury, Monique remained focused on reaching her children and husband – who at that time was on the waiting list for a triple bypass operation. She was soon trekking south on Colombo Street, where she met up with Gary and they made the decision he should return to their home.

Monique did not know how far she would have to walk – and couldn’t see the street in front of her. “You couldn’t see what was underneath the water and liquefaction,” she recalls. “I threw off my high-heeled shoes. A car dealer gave me his spare gumboots.

“It was quite treacherous.”

This became one of many examples of community spirit and goodwill that Monique remembers from the day.

“He was so apologetic that the gumboots had a hole in them. I didn’t mind!” Monique laughs. “And then somebody picked me up in a car and took me further down the road. I was able to get to the preschool Kindercare and pick up my first child.

“They had no power and they were just patiently waiting for parents to start picking up the children.

“The lovely people in the car took us as far as they could to my husband’s parents’ house. When we got there, my neighbour gave us his bike and helmet. Another neighbour gave me a pair of sneakers. Then I jumped on the bike and cycled to Sumner to get my two sons.”

As Monique pedalled, her mind raced back to the scenes in the city that she will never forget.

“It had been quite shocking in town what we’d seen. There was rubble everywhere. There were people lying down and lots of stress.”

What really stood out, however, were the helpers.

“For every person lying down on the side of the road, there were at least three or four people around them trying to help. There were huge amounts of goodwill.”

Arriving in Sumner, the school was an extraordinary scene. “The teachers were doing such a great job, and they were keeping the kids busy and the kids were in really high spirits.

“They wanted to know what had happened in town…I had to choose my words carefully. It was a very long day for people looking after the children, waiting for parents to come, and they did an amazing job.”

Monique then returned to her home in Sumner, a home the family would never live in again. She and her sons made their way back to her parents’ tiny retirement unit in Heathcote. The family of five was grateful to have a roof over their heads, sleeping in chairs and on the floor.

They would eventually return to their Sumner property, living for 12 months in a caravan parked on the site.

Yet Monique’s memories of the quake reflect on how her fellow Cantabrians were affected.

“So many people lost their quality of life. I think for the people of Christchurch, it’s very important for people to reflect and think about what we’ve been through. We witnessed a huge amount of support and goodwill – people taking other people into their homes and giving them a place to stay.

“This Saturday, we take stock. We’re the fortunate ones, going forward with our lives.

“It’s really important to remember the lives lost. And the feeling of appreciation for those who helped. I think Christchurch people are great. And Christchurch people are tough.”

Monique’s memories of 22 February 2011 will always be influenced by the goodwill she witnessed on the day – and the connections formed since.

And the commitment by Shine Lawyers NZ Ltd. as an event sponsor has been influenced by the experiences of clients such as Monique, who have turned Christchurch into a city that is known for resilience around the world.