Rotary Club of Rochdale Pakistan Earthquake Collection

Date published: 09/11/2005

With the plight of the Asian Earthquake victims given graphic coverage in the media over recent weeks, Rochdale Rotary Club felt the need to try and provide some practical help for the victims of the Disaster.

The Rotary Club of Helston started a charity 5 years ago called Shelter Box, which was set up so that a shelter box could provide a comprehensively equipped survival pack for 10 people. It contains a large tent 10 sleeping bags, cooking equipment, ropes, tools, shovels, torches, weatherproof clothing, water containers, water purification tablets, blankets and a number of items for children’s needs.

The cost of each box and transport is almost £500 but it is sufficient and suitable to provide shelter for 10 people for up to 12 months.

Rotary sent 15,000 boxes to Sri Lanka following the Tsunami disaster and has already sent 7000 tents to Pakistan.

The local Rotary club is playing its part towards the Rotary organisation’s world-wide effort to bring relief to people made homeless by natural disasters and held a public collection for victims of the Pakistan earthquake at the Wheatsheaf Centre, Rochdale on Friday 4 November. The Club is hoped to raise enough for one box and was delighted when the fund raising exercise raised sufficient money for a shelter box and another four sleeping bags.