I’d like to thank all those who gave so generously to the collection for Shelterbox, organised by the Rotary Club of North Worcestershire, last Saturday at the Morrisons store in Bromsgrove. We raised £1,141 during the day.

Shelterbox is an international disaster relief charity, specialising in providing emergency shelter for the victims of natural disasters. At this time, the boxes are being sent to Haiti to support the victims in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The box contains a variety of aids including a custom designed tent, thermal fleece blankets, a stove and cooking equipment and waterproof gear.

A Shelterbox costs around £500. In the last ten days, over 2,000 of them have been shipped to Haiti, including a number from North Worcestershire Rotary Club.

Unfortunately, the aid provided so far is a drop in the ocean compared to what will be required to get the country back on its feet. In three months or so the rainy season will start, followed by the Caribbean hurricane season. Many of the campsites could, without careful planning, turn into swamps. So, additional funds will be urgently needed. Again, our thanks to those who put their hands in their pockets – they can be confident that their generosity will really make a difference Ralph Webster, president North Worcestershire Rotary Club