24 January 2010 - Immediate
The Rotary Club of Canterbury is paying tribute to the generosity of the city’s shoppers who contributed over three-thousand pounds to support the victims of the recent Haiti Earthquake.
Thirty members of the Canterbury Rotary Club, aided by members of the Forest of Blean Rotary Club and Inner Wheel helped collect £3,333 from shoppers in Canterbury High Street last Saturday (23rd January, 2010).
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Shoppers of all ages contributed to the appeal. Above, Rotarian Roger Power accepts a donation from a young shopper. Right, Rotarian Sidney Denham near St George's Clock Tower |
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All the money will be spend on purchasing seven Shelterboxes costing £490 each, with the balance being paid by private donation. It means the Rotary Club of Canterbury will have supplied a total of eight Shelterboxes to the disaster relief operation in Haiti. One was sent by the Club within hours of the disaster striking.
At the heart of each Shelterbox is a ten-person tent designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Also included is a range of survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well as means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed. A stove, cooking utensils and a basic tool-kit is included as well as a pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens for children who have lost most, if not all, their possessions.
The street collection was organised by the Club in just three days and Club Vice-President, Robert Yonge, commended the public’s response. He said: "When the shoppers realised every penny we raised in the collection was going to the victims of the earthquake they responded quickly and generously". He added: "Shelterboxes are a simple and cost-effective way of saving lives. I’d like to extend my thanks to the people of Canterbury for acting so positively".
Note to editors:
Further information of Shelterbox can be found at:
http://www.shelterbox.org/index.php
Click to download PDF version of Press Release
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