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Help for Haiti: Colchester Rotary Club and Shelterboxes

02 February 2010

Colchester Rotary Club President Len Nieuwenhuis is seen receiving cheques from 3 local businesses of £500 each: Ellisons Solicitors, James and Lindsay Insurance Brokers and DCH Construction, as well as over £1,000 collected at the Rugby Club on Saturday 23 January, over £600 collected at the Mayor of Colchester's recent charity events, an anonymous donation of £500, and £450 raised from Rotary Club members personal donations.

Rotary ShelterBoxes are being rushed out to Haiti, to provide shelter for thousands affected by the recent earthquake. The ShelterBox project was started by Rotarian Tom Henderson of the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard, Cornwall, and now operates in 8 countries. 2,000 boxes have already gone out, and a further 1800 were sent out on Friday 29 January.

Each ShelterBox contains a durable 10-person tent, sleeping bags or bedlinen for 10, feeding and cooking equipment - including a multi-fuel cooker, useful tools, some childrens' toys - and water purification equipment.

Each box costs £500. The Colchester Club has already forwarded £2,000 from Club funds, together with £700 from the Interact Club at the Colchester County High School for Girls. The fresh funds bring the Rotary Club of Colchester's contribution to the rotary ShelterBox appeal for Haiti to £6,000. This latest funding will provide a further seven ShelterBoxes.

Colchester Rotary President Len Nieuwenhuis said, "As Rotary President, and a former President of the Rugby Club, I am delighted that these donations have come together to enable us to support this splendid initiative. We are not all able to go out and help, but we are able to provide some comfort to those so badly affected"