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Home | District Press Releases | East Anglian Rotarians raise funds for Haiti disaster

East Anglian Rotarians provide shelter for over 2,000 Haitians: £126,000 raised to buy Shelter Boxes by the 76 clubs in East Anglia

Rotary clubs in East Anglia have together already raised £126,000 for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Much of the money has already been spent on purchasing Shelter Boxes - enough to shelter over 2,000 people - and many arrived in the island within days of the earthquake. Also purchased from the fund-raising effort were Aquaboxes, Life Boxes, Water Survival Boxes and Life Straws.


Shelter Boxes was a Rotary-inspired initiative several years ago to meet an immediate need following world-wide natural disasters. Since then it has grown into an internationally-known operation partly run by Rotarians. A Shelter Box effectively provides shelter for up to 10 people and also includes 10 sleeping bags, cooking utensils, mugs, a small stove, ground sheets, a basic tool set and a pack for children containing paper, pens and pencils to keep them occupied

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Across East Anglia, Rotary clubs have collected enough money to purchase over 243 Shelter Boxes, 17 Aquaboxes and  some 6 Water Survival Boxes and £440 for Lifestraws. Most of the money has been raised through collections but some – for example High Suffolk Rotary Club and King’s Lynn Priory Rotary Club - is the result of working with local schools. Meanwhile, the fund-raising is continuing, with the King’s Lynn clubs planning a concert.


“Following the earthquake, Rotary clubs responded immediately by collecting here, there and everywhere. The figure of £126,000 is magnificent and rising daily”, said Rotary District Governor, John Samuel. “Several clubs are now organising special events which will boost the amount significantly. We are lucky to be so closely associated with the Shelter Box organisation, since it is shelter and supplies that is most urgently needed.”