St Ives Rotary - ShelterBox

Our Club is a supporter of the Shelterbox program, which provides essential shelter to disaster victims throughout the world. We raise funds all year around to provide shelterboxes in support of natural or man made disasters.

Once upon a time, Rotarian Tom Henderson attended a regular meeting of the Rotary Club Helston-Lizard (Cornwall UK). What he said next was to change everything.

'Hey guys, I've had an idea which could bring shelter and beds to people who have become homeless in disasters around the world... and all in a single box'. 'Yeah, that sounds a good idea,' we said, 'why don't you look into it?'
Well, Tom doesn't need to be told twice! As an ex Royal Navy officer and spending his time generally doing dangerous stuff above and below the sea all over the globe, he went and found all that was needed... tents, sleeping bags, boxes, equipment - the best quality, (with some arm twisting) at the lowest cost.

He put ShelterBox together, it's administered by the Helston-Lizard Club, and boxes are sent world-wide with the help of Rotary Clubs.

ShelterBox Australia is a project of the Rotary Club of Endeavour Hills (Vic) and the accredited international affiliate of the ShelterBox Trust UK: it is a company limited by guarantee [ACN 129 338 825] and administers ShelterBox in Australia.

Tom Henderson visited Australia in 2006, then again in 2007 where he spoke at eight Rotary District Conferences. He often says, 'it's only a box.' Well, after thus far providing vital assistance to over 500,000 people worldwide, we simply say, 'that's some box Tom!'

Where ShelterBoxes are used

ShelterBoxes are sent worldwide to disaster areas. Since 2000, more than 500,000 people in some 40 countries have been assisted by ShelterBox ... and the demand continues to exceed supply. ShelterBox is now the largest Rotary Club project in the world.

Whether it be natural disasters or man made destruction ShelterBox is there at the grass roots, helping people in need. There are No borders within Rotary!

Her Royal Highness’s visit on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, comes as ShelterBox marks its tenth anniversary and a decade of providing emergency disaster relief across the globe.

TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were first introduced to ShelterBox while on an official visit to Pakistan in 2006 where they saw the charity’s work firsthand. In the summer of 2007 The Duchess visited ShelterBox’s headquarters in Helston, Cornwall, for the first time and later that year agreed to serve as the charity’s President and Royal Patron.

Tom Henderson OBE, ShelterBox’s Founder and CEO, said: ‘We’re delighted and honoured to host Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall at our international headquarters.

‘This visit is a fantastic accolade for us and recognition of our response not only to the Haitian earthquake, but to people we’ve helped around the world who’ve been affected by natural or manmade disasters in the last decade.

‘Our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to send close to 10,000 ShelterBoxes to people who lost their homes during this tragic earthquake. This is a long-term commitment for ShelterBox and in the coming weeks and months we’ll be sending thousands more ShelterBoxes.’

During her visit The Duchess will hear firsthand accounts from ShelterBox Response Team members who have recently returned from distributing ShelterBoxes to the people of Haiti.

Her Royal Highness will also have a chance to speak to warehouse staff and volunteers who packed the boxes, each one containing a tent for a family of up to 10, blankets, cooking utensils and other life-saving supplies.

Fifty Scouts from the West Department International Scouts d' Haiti work alongside the 82nd Airborne and set up 70 tents in four hours. Photograph: Mark Pearson

‘Everybody wants a ShelterBox tent and we’re bringing in as many as we can; there’s so many people needing help.’

These are the words of ShelterBox General Manager Lasse Petersen (UK) who has been in Port au Prince, Haiti for the past three weeks.

The need in Haiti remains huge and with the imminent onset of heavy rains, the Haitian people are crying out for shelter which can stand up to the elements.

Lasse said: ‘ What most people are sleeping under is cotton bed linen and sheeting which doesn’t provide any protection from the elements, just a little bit of shade.

‘Our intention is to replace as many of these as possible with ShelterBox tents.’

Haitian man, Antonio Florristale, said: ‘When it’s rainy, if you’re inside a ShelterBox tent, you cannot get wet, if the water comes you’ll not get wet.’

ShelterBox Response Team member Mark Pearson has been working with Scouts in Haiti to set up 210 ShelterBox tents.

ShelterBox is partnered with the Scout Association and Scouts have already helped ShelterBox in disaster zones across the globe. Now, thanks to Mark’s work, they are helping ShelterBox in Haiti.

Mark said: ‘I personally trained ten Scouts from Port au Prince at the 82nd Airborne HQ (US Military in Haiti). The scouts, after I did a first demo, then set up a tent to perfection in ten minutes.’

On Friday, February 5, fifty Haitian scouts set up 70 ShelterBox tents in the central Palace area where 3,000 people are homeless. They did it in less than four hours.

Mark added: ‘The Train the Trainer sessions paid off and all the Haitian people were so happy, it was a great day for all involved. We’re doing the same today with a further 140 ShelterBoxes.’

Alex George, President of West Department International Scouts d’Haiti, said: ‘Our Scouts are themselves homeless but in the traditional Scout tradition we are happy to help our people and feel good doing so with ShelterBox and the US military. ‘This is brilliant equipment and the tents are perfect for Haiti.’

Victoria Australia

Hands on deck Victoria Bush Fire

Thursday 12th February 2009 - AUSTRALIA: 50 ShelterBoxes were successful delivered to the fire-ravaged Whittlesea area yesterday. Forty boxes were distributed in Kinglake and 10 at the Whittlesea Recovery Centre. ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) volunteers Eb Friedrich (Rotary Club of Woodend) and Mark Mallman (Rotary Club of Whittlesea) were on hand for the distribution. The volunteers were joined by Jenni Heenan, General Manager for ShelterBox's Australian Affiliate office who comments, “When people saw what the ShelterBoxes contain, they could not believe they were being given a tent, blankets, a cooker and other equipment."
The Department of Human Service (DHS), working with the Victoria Police and the Australian Army is assessing further needs – a decision is likely later today. Indications are that ShelterBoxes may be needed in Marysville (where virtually the entire township has disappeared), Flowerdale, Yea, Narbethong and Buxton.

There is a continual need to replenish the ShelterBoxes. If you wish to assist, you can contact your local Rotary club, or go to the ShelterBox website.

http://www.shelterbox.org/home.htm

Across the world from Africa, China, Europe there is a great need for Shelterbox, let us help give back dignity to those people who suffer at the hands of others,or whose lives have been disrupted by natural disasters. Together we can do this.