Tauranga financial planner Harmer Parr is making a donation from its charitable trust to the Christchurch relief effort.

The Student Volunteer Army, other agencies, and the Cathedral Rebuilding Fund will receive money from the $20,000 donation says financial adviser Stephen Parr.

Stephen Parr is encouraging businesses to set up charitable trusts.

Stephen's family has had a strong historical connection with Christchurch and its cathedral since the 1850s with a family member being a past Canon of Christchurch Cathedral.

'It seems fitting that the final distribution of around $20,000 will used to support the work of the very impressive student volunteers and the cathedral rebuilding fund,” says Stephen.

He encourages businesses to consider establishing their own corporate charitable trust and is keen to assist any that are interested.

'It does not have to be large – it's a little like KiwiSaver; even relatively small amounts of money grows steadily to become a useful sum.

'After a while the annual interest produced can be used to make very useful distributions.”