Club sends quake aid out quickly

ShelterBox is sent to Italy

Big-hearted members of Auchterarder and District Rotary Club have provided vital support to homeless victims of the recent earthquake in Italy.

The group has gifted a ShelterBox, which cost £590 each and contain useful equipment such as a family tent, cooking implements, blankets, waterproof mats, water containers and a toolkit.

The boxes are sent to the scene of disasters to provide immediate help to those affected.

John Holme, treasurer of Auchterarder Rotary Club, said members were able to respond quickly when they were contacted for funds by ShelterBox within days of the devastating earthquake.

The club had money available from the various fundraising events they hold each year and were able to commit to the appeal straightway.

Mr Holme said: “We were pleased to be able to fund a ShelterBox which was going directly to help in Italy.

“And we were told the organisation already had teams on the ground in the area assessing the damage and seeing where a ShelterBox could help best.”

The ShelterBox organisation works in partnership with Rotary International and as such they are at the forefront of Rotary giving.

Mr Holme added: “We’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation in Italy and, if needed, and if funds permit, we may be able to help further. The boxes are very useful and contain everything a family who has lost their home would need.”

The Rotary Club will be raising more funds this weekend with a musical evening being held at Perth Concert Hall.

The Rotary Young Musician Charity Concert features a programme of music showcasing some of Scotland’s most promising young musicians.

Proceeds from the concert, on Saturday, will go to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, the Cairo Children’s Cancer Hospital in Egypt, as well as ShelterBox. Tickets are available via the website www. horsecross. co. uk or by calling 01738 621031.