ROTARY ROUND-UP: Haiti still needs help after hurricane

Readers may have seen the article by Gerald Illsley from the Rotary Club of Worthing Steyne last week where we were given an excellent description of the help that the Rotary ShelterBox scheme is able to give when an international disaster occurs.

Hurricane Matthew, which hit Haiti with 145mph winds and torrential rains, exposing families to destruction and flooding has left a desperate situation for its inhabitants.

The devastation left in its wake is vast and the need is huge.

The death toll has reportedly reached a thousand, 60,000 people have been evacuated or displaced and around 1.5 million are in need of aid.

ShelterBox had some aid stored in Haiti ready to assist during the hurricane season.

The aid includes water filtration equipment which will be vital given the flooding, solar lighting to assist during electricity blackouts, and blankets for warmth.

But the scale of help needed is far greater than the resources available.

Since ShelterBox was founded, it has responded to over 230 disasters and humanitarian crises in almost 90 different countries and has provided emergency aid for millions of people.

The charity was started by Rotarians and is carefully monitored to ensure boxes reach the most needy people in places devastated by disaster.

ShelterBox aid is tailored to each disaster but typically includes a tent for a family, thermal blankets and groundsheets, water storage and purification equipment, solar lamps, cooking utensils, a basic tool kit, mosquito nets and children’s activity pack.

We need your support now to ensure we reach the most remote communities.

Your donations will help us respond in Haiti and elsewhere where families have been robbed of shelter.

If you are able to donate go to www.shelterbox.org/donate

Locally, we are also very aware of the needs in our community and we are delighted to be organising a fabulous variety concert raising funds for West Sussex Young Carers and Superstar Arts.

This is to be held on Saturday, November 12, at The Salvation Army Citadel, in Crescent Road, Worthing.

The concert will include talented performers from Worthing comprising: male voice choir The Gruffs, junior and senior groups from the Regnante School of Performing Arts (RSOPA), ukulele band Wukulele, the Salvation Army Band, soloists in song and on the piano, plus a monologue or two.

MP for Worthing West Sir Peter Bottomley and his wife Virginia are taking part, with East Worthing & Shoreham MP Tim Loughton acting as the compere.

Our town crier, Bob Smytherman, will also be attending.

Do come and join us and help support the very worthwhile Superstar Arts and West Sussex Young Carers.

The concert starts at 7pm and tickets for just £10 are on sale now by emailing [email protected] or calling Kim on 07941 181601.

To join Rotarians in making a difference to the lives of others, both locally and internationally, have a look at our website: www.worthing-rotary.org, call us or come along to one of our Monday lunchtime meetings at the Chatsworth Hotel. We would love to welcome you.

Details of Worthing’s three Rotary clubs are:

• Worthing Rotary Club meets Monday, 12.55pm, at the Chatsworth Hotel, in The Steyne, Worthing, 01903 209564.

• West Worthing Rotary Club meets Tuesday evening at Tudor Close, Ferring, 01903 501961.

• Worthing Steyne Rotary Club meets Monday evening at The Ardington Hotel, in Steyne Gardens, Worthing, 01903 234957.

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