Skip to main content

Home | International Projects | ShelterBox Roadshow visits Leyburn


Shelterbox Roadshow May 08 005 (Large).jpgThe ShelterBox Roadshow visited Leyburn on 23rd May, for two days, at the invitation of the RC of Wensleydale. This is a very impressive trailer, with a walk-in area showing videos taken by volunteers in various disaster zones, as well as displaying the boxes and their extensive equipment. It attracted quite a bit of interest from passers-by, including Rotarians from elsewhere in Yorkshire! The photo shows two Wensleydale Rotarians, Mike Chilton and David Greenwood, with Rtn David Glover of RC of Helston-Lizard, who drove the unit all the way from Cornwall. He is International Co-ordinator for the charity and is very happy to bring the Roadshow to other clubs in District 1040. He will be returning to Yorkshire in July to join Wensleydale Rotarians at the Masham Steam Fair.

The Dalesman passing the ShelterBox stand in Leyburn Market Square last Saturday was very sceptical of any attempts to send Aid into disaster areas.  "I see the television pictures but I wonder how much money is pocketed along the way by those who supposing to help?" When he was shown the ShelterBoxes and their contents and was told what Rotary was doing he began to change his opinion.  In February 200 ShelterBoxes went to the flood victims in Kazungula in Zambia, 170 to flood victims in Mozambique, 385 families were given ShelterBoxes in Kabul in Afghanistan where they were living in the open in sub-zero conditions, 200 to Bolivia. In March 206 ShelterBoxes and Response Teams were in Ecuador.

In May when Cyclone Nargis hit Burma 224 boxes were sent from the holding site in Dubai, 220 left Melbourne, 220 were dispatched from the HQ in Helston.  The box paid for by Wensleydale Rotary Club arrived on 8th. May.  East Midlands Airport waived the landing fees for the ShelterBox Charity and 1050 boxes went to Myanmar.

On 16th May 400 boxes were committed to Chengdu in the Sichuan province in China. These are channelled through Hong Kong and Beijing Rotary Clubs and the China Charity Federation.

Where there is a need throughout the World, Rotary and ShelterBox and the trained volunteers offer help. Non-political and true to its motto of "Service above Self" it can often be the practical help among the first to arrive and with nationwide contacts accepted by most governments.

"I'm impressed, all that gear for 10 people, tools, water tablets, cooking stuff, clothing and a tent for ten all for £490 and going all over the world. Why have I never known about this before? I'm glad you stopped me and showed me the video and told me of the work".  He put £10 in the bucket and went off promising to tell his friends about ShelterBox.

That was what the two days were about – raising awareness.

 

Go to Image Galleries for more photos.