Early on Wednesday, Liu Zhaoyi, a resident from Mianyang, one of the worst hit areas by Monday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake, was seen climbing the stair to the entrance of the city's main sport gym, carrying a box of milk and gasping.

Liu, 67, said he and his family of seven were bringing food and daily necessities that he had bought at a cost of 1,000 yuan (about US$143) to distribute among more than 10,000 quake survivors from Mianyang's three areas of Beichuan, Pingwu and Anxian who had been given temporary shelter in the gym.

"They must have suffered a lot and we would help them out as much as we can," said the old man.

An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Sichuan Province at 2:28 PM on Monday and was felt widely across China

More than 20,000 residents un-housed by quake are living in four rescue and aid centers in downtown Mianyang, including the one at the city gym, where more than 1,000 volunteers have been helping.

In the meantime, upward of 20,000 people, including soldiers, armed police, paramilitary personnel, are carrying out relief operations in quake-stricken areas of Mianyang.

They were joined by 17 medical teams from areas outside Mianyang and 3,000 voluntary workers.

Large companies such as Changhong, a key television set maker based in Mianyang, have also offered. Apart from donating batteries and flashlights, these enterprises have ordered their kitchen staff to cook for the homeless in the gym.

Wang Jiangyu, a 45-year-old woman from the village of Beichuan and a temporary resident at the gym, said she and her husband were tilling the land when the quake struck.

Their house was toppled, burying Wang's father.

"My father who suffered severe injuries in the head has received good medical treatment and we were sent to live at the city gym," said Wang. "We don't have much to worry about as many people came along to deliver goods and offer care."

A reporter who has been employed by a foreign news media commented: "Plenty of quake-affected victims gathered here at the city gym, they were outnumbered by even more helpers. It is more like a big family here."

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2008)