Shelter box Emergency Aid Collection at Morrisons

Disaster Relief : Local shoppers support Preston Rotary Club and ShelterBox

Preston Rotary Club sent, in 2018, donations totalling over £1400 to the disaster relief Charity ShelterBox after a collection at Morrisons supermarket in Paignton.

Eddy Pyle, President of Preston Rotary Club, said “I would like to thank the customers of Morrisons in Paignton for their huge support and interest in ShelterBox. Their generosity in donating £816.00 will make a real difference to those people whose lives have been devastated by recent disasters. We are, once again, very grateful to Morrisons at Paignton for giving us the opportunity to collect at their store. Having a ShelterBox in the entrance porch helped those who donated see an example of the kind of help which Rotary can provide by supporting charities like ShelterBox ”

Truro based ShelterBox are known the world over, not just for their distinctive large green boxes, but also for the speed at which they get Response Teams and aid to disaster areas.

When Hurricane Irma threatened, the RAF flew 2,000 ShelterBoxes to Panama on standby ready for immediate despatch to the islands most in need.  Four highly trained ShelterBox Response Teams were on the worst hit islands assessing needs after Hurricane Irma had made landfall. By the time Hurricane Maria had hit, aid was already in place on a number of islands including 300 ShelterKits on Antigua and 200 on St Kitts.

Each ShelterBox provides a measure of stability in a ravaged, chaotic landscape. A Shelter Box contains a tent and survival equipment which will house a family of up to ten people for at least six months. It also contains a small multi fuel stove, cooking utensils and cutlery. 

For more information on the current work of ShelterBox have a look at their website at www.shelterbox.org. To see how Preston Rotary Club members help in the local community and support local, national and international charities go to www.preston.rotary1175.org