Shelter Box – 22nd September 2011

“Following my appeal for funds in support of Shelter Box in the aftermath of the Japanese Earthquake, I am pleased to say that a good number of clubs responded and we raised a considerable sum which we are to donate to Shelter Box on 22nd September 2011 at their London Offices - 37 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London SE1 7TL between 12.30 and 1pm ...”
Malcolm Lockey, Immediate Past President, 9th September 2011.

I participated in this presentation, with:
National President, Vaughan Harris
National Treasurer, Mike Turner
Alan Pattinson, former National Councillor, led the introduction of ShelterBox to 41 Club and initiated the International Collection in the wake of the earthquake in Japan.
Peter Bolt, Treasurer of Feltham & Hounslow 41 Club

I was particularly interested because my club, Faringdon & District, made the first contribution to Malcolm’s appeal: the full value of a ShelterBox.

We were entertained by Tim Bunting, Head of ShelterBox Great Britain & Ireland, and John Leach, Head of ShelterBox Operations.

Tim briefed us on ShelterBox with a DVD presentation illustrating its activities in various regions. The full ‘ShelterBox’ weighs 55kg (more than 1cwt in old money) – heavy even as a two-man lift – we saw ladies walking away balancing them on their heads!

John described the operations side from recruiting, assessing (rejecting if necessary) and training volunteers, to deployments and methods of working. Headquarters in Cornwall is the focus for selection, training and operations; the twenty or so overseas ShelterBox agencies are dedicated to fundraising.

The team philosophy is to provide immediate shelter to enable families to survive and remain together. The contents of the ‘ShelterBox’ provide shelter, bedding, stove, water purification, children’s activities, tools, water carrier, etc, for 10 people (see illustration). The most important feature is that the team will not affect adversely the activities of other agencies, nor will it suck in any of their resources. “When available food runs out, the team does not eat.” John has a good track record of getting teams in against vested interests; telephone calls and emails to the British Embassy and Universities in Japan got vital contacts and, even more vital, a dedicated translator.

‘Boxes’ have been sent to practically all major disaster areas over the last decade. Amongst the recipients were Haiti, 30,000 ‘Boxes’, the Indonesian Tsunami areas and Pakistan.

These are just recollections of a fascinating hour spent with these guys; no doubt you can find chapter and verse for all this and more on the charity’s website: shelterbox.org.

Oh, by the way, a cheque for £10,125 was handed over. Well done everyone!

 Report by Frank Venables, Faringdon & District 41 Club. Region 20 National Councillor