Following the earthquake disaster in Chile the Rotary Club of Inverness has agreed to fund a further 2 Shelterboxes to replenish stocks deployed this year so far.  The Rotary sponsored Charity maintains  a stock of Shelterboxes in strategically placed depots around the world ready to be deployed immediately.  Shelterbox was one of the first  agencies to get material relief into Haiti following their recent earthquake - these boxes came from the Shelterbox depot in Australia.  Every box in stock is numbered and can therefore be traced, when Clubs sponsor a box each sponsor is notified when and where 'their' box has been used.

If you wish to support the relief effort please log on to www.shelterbox.org or  

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/secure/51_10715.htm 

At their February meeting The Inner Wheel Club of Inverness agreed to purchase a Shelterbox to support the relief effort in Haiti.

The Club membership comes from family members of Rotarians in the 4 Inverness Clubs and Dingwall Rotary. They support the activities of the Rotarians but also support local and overseas charities in their own right .  The Club meets on the first Thursday of the month in the Lochardil Hotel for lunch at 1pm and new members are always welcome.  

 Shelter Boxes for Haiti

The Rotary Club of Inverness is supporting the relief efforts in Haiti by supplying Shelter Boxes for those left destitute by the destruction of their homes.  Consignments of boxes sponsored by Rotary Clubs and members of the public all over UK are being flown into the country as quickly as possible. Designed by a Rotarian and former Royal Navy Search and Rescue diver, each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster.   Each box contains a tent designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall; survival equipment – insulated groundsheet, thermal blankets, appropriate new hand tools; plates, cups and utensils and a children’s pack of toys and activities. Included also is a multi fuel stove capable of burning anything from diesel to old paint.

The Club has funded 2 boxes this year so far, in addition to the 4 last year which were deployed in the Pakistan Earthquake.  Club President Jim Robb said “As the focus of attention moves from the scenes of devastation and the retrieval of bodies, it is vital that efforts are redoubled to help survivors overcome the immediate threats to families.  The rebuilding of the infrastructure of this very poor country will take months, even years, we all must continue to support Aid Agencies efforts after the media attention moves elsewhere”.   

Anyone wishing to donate or for more information see www.shelterbox.org  

 ( Press Release sent to Inverness Courier and Highland News)

First consignments of Shelter Boxes arrived in Haiti on 19th January.  The Team on the ground describe the situation as desperate.  More consignments are following as soon as they can be despatched.

 Pictures from the Christmas lunch held at the Ramada Jarvis on 17th December

Everyone joined in the festive spirit ( some on spirits!).  Even our Sergeant at Arms, Ebeneezer Glover.

The Christmas Address was given by Club Member Reverend Peter Howson.

Thanks also Club  Members Linda Stewart and Dennis Malone who produced a (VERY tough) Christmas Quiz (I couldn't even work out how to fill it in!!!)

There will be NO MEETINGS on Christmas Eve or 31st December.  Next meeting will be on Thursday 7th January 2010.  We wish you all a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.