Hitchin Helps: Rotary fundraiser for hurricane, earthquake and flooding recovery efforts this weekend

All the gear that's in a ShelterBox. Picture: Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse (Image: Archant)

The Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse is co-ordinating the Hitchin Helps fundraiser in Market Place this Saturday – which is being held in response to the hurricane devastation caused in the Caribbean, the huge earthquake in Brazil, and flooding in Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

The money raised will go to ShelterBox, which provides aid tailored to meet the needs of a community after a specific disaster in the shape of ShelterBoxes and ShelterKits.

Helena Wardle, a member of Hitchin Tilehouse’s international committee, is the lead co-ordinator for the fundraiser.

She said: “With the enormity of the devastation, ShelterBox desperately need their stocks replenished.

ShelterBoxes being unloaded. Picture: Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse (Image: Archant)

“Hitchin Helps is our community response, and the Hitchin community has never let us down yet!

“Please pop down and see us on Saturday and pop whatever pennies you can spare into the buckets.”

The sturdy green ShelterBoxes contain family-sized tents specially designed to withstand the elements and provide people with temporary shelter until they are able to start the process of rebuilding a home.

A ShelterBox tent and its contents will be on show in Market Place this Saturday, so Hitchin families can see these life-changing boxes for themselves.

ShelterKits contain all of the essential tools people need to start repairing and rebuilding homes straight away. Kits and boxes also contain the items that help transform shelter into a home – like cooking sets, solar lights and activity sets for children.

For more see shelterbox.org/shelter/aid.