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Last weekend Farnborough Rotarians raised £8500 for the Haiti disaster.

The money was raised over Saturday and Sunday at the Meadows Shopping centre.

All the money will go towards buying shelter boxes which can provide immediate help to those who need temporary accommodation. You can find out more from their website click here.

Sue Evans-John Anderson-President Brian Parker-Barbara Anderson-Liz Howarth at The Meadows

Decided that we were going to try and help, not by giving money but buying  survival boxes Called ShelterBoxes These boxes cost £490 each

So how did we mange it, well we hit the ground running Friday, applied for licences to collect money, designed some A Boards, got pictures and headlines from the National newspaper and Saturday morning we at the Meadows shopping centre.

We raised £8500 enough for 17 Shelter boxes and people were so generous, stuffing notes into the boxes and wishing us well.

Whats in a SHELTERBOX

At the heart of every ShelterBox is a ten-person tent. It is custom made for ShelterBox by Vango, one of the world’s leading tent manufacturers, and is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall.

Every box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens.

Phil and Liz woodford collecting at Marks and Spencers Camberley

Warmth and protection
In addition to the tent, the boxes contain a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well a life saving means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed, this presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself.

Self sufficiency
A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters can be found in every box. These items enable people to improve their immediate environment, by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example. Then, when it is possible, to start repairing or rebuilding the home they were forced to leave.

Fit for purpose
Every item is durable, practical and brand new. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past – from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.

A key piece in every box is either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove – that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate., there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.

With £8500 raised we can now buy 17 Shelterboxes.

Already 450 boxes have arrived in Port Au prince

Thank you to all who gave

Farnborough Rotary club will be organising collections this weekend.

We hope to be collecting in Fanborough Town Center and also at the Meadows in Camberley, outside M&S.

As I write, we have received the appropriate licenses from Rushmoor Borough Council and Bracknell Forest. We are waiting on an agreement fro Marks and Spencer

I will report back how much we raise.

All money raised will go towards buying Shelter Boxes,

These specially designed boxes are made for disaster areas and are packed full of vital lifesaving equipment, including a tent that can sleep up to 10 people, pots, pans, a water purification set, tools and other implements to enable survival in the type of conditions we are seeing in Haiti.

Our weekly meeting has been cancelled again due to the snowy conditions.

This will mean that the club has not met for 5 weeks, which must be  a record for our 50 year old club.

A few of us might meet up for a beer as suggested by Tim Dunkley

Watch this space