The 7th October and Anstruther Rotary Club was pleased to welcome visitors to an evening that looked at the work of Rotary and, in particular, its support for ‘ShelterBoxes’

A ShelterBox is a large, green plastic box, which is easily transported to areas affected by disaster and contains immediate survival support for an extended family; tent, blankets, groundsheets, water storage and filtration equipment, stove, cooking utensils, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. 


In the 12 years since ShelterBox was founded, the UK-based organization has responded to over 200 natural or manmade disasters in almost 90 different countries and provided lifesaving aid for well over one million people. The boxes and tents, complete with Rotary logo, are often to be seen in the background of television reports from whichever disaster area is currently in the news.

Willie Nicoll, President of Cupar Rotary Club, spoke eloquently of visiting a local primary school to tell pupils about ShelterBox – a visit that clearly captured imaginations and ended up involving parents - and then other schools, in raising money. With the club matching monies raised by pupils, a total of eight boxes at £590 each have so far been purchased. The project even made STV news when primary 7 demonstrated how a tent designed for a family could be made to accommodate 31 of them – plus a teddy!

It was an enjoyable evening and a memorable talk from Willie and, following questions, an appreciative vote of thanks was given. More about ShelterBox at (http://shelterbox.org), the Rotary Club of Cupar at (http://rotarycupar.org) and the Rotary Club of Anstruther & District at (http://www.rotaryanstruther.org)