Worcester people can help cyclone victims

3:40pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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WORCESTER shoppers can help send emergency aid to victims of the devastating Burma cyclone.

Worcester South Rotary Club will be outside the Guildhall, High Street tomorrow collecting for their new ShelterBox campaign.

The international charity, which provides humanitarian aid to people displaced by natural disasters, began sending boxes to Burma five days after the cyclone struck on Friday, May 2.

Money raised here in Worcester will help them send more of the tough green plastic boxes that consist of a 10-person tent and enable families to survive for at least six months.

"The charity made a big difference during the tsunami," said Ian Cutbill, chairman of the club's international committee.

"We had a tremendous amount of support and raised over £45,000.

"We may not be able to raise that much again but even a few hundred will help."

Each ShelterBox, which costs about £500, also contains blankets or sleeping bags, multi-fuel stove, cooking equipment, mosquito nets, and a supply of water purification tablets - whatever is needed.

On Wednesday night 1,000 boxes left East Midlands Airport in a specially-chartered plane and flew directly to Burma, where 38,500 people are estimated dead with almost 28,000 more missing.

To donate to ShelterBox call Ian Cutbill on 01905 457722 or visit www.shelterbox.orwww.shelterbox.org