ShelterBox helps re-build lives.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog, My name is Marilla and a part of my Citizenship GCSE is to raise awareness for a chosen charity, I have chosen the charity ShelterBox, so far it has helped thousands of families re-build their lives after they have lost everything due to natural disasters. Not many people think about the problems that can occur because of a natural disaster, this is why I have chosen to focus on ShelterBox. Hopefully after reading this blog you will feel more informed about the dangers that are happening to people every day, and feel that you would like to help.

ShelterBox is a charity that aim to provide a safe environment from families who have been struck by a natural disaster such as; tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, cyclones, hurricanes, droughts and floods. The founder of this amazing charity, Tom Henderson, noticed that most of the aid given to victims of natural disasters was in the form of food or medicine, but this did not give them Shelter or the support you would need. What is the use in all of this protection from diseases when you could die from hypothermia during the night? With little help he came up with the idea of sending out boxes filled with the support that would be used to re-build thousands of lives. These boxes contain; a tent that can fit up to 10 people, withstand torrential rain, and extreme temperatures, sleeping bags, blankets, tools, a stove, and even entertainment for the younger victims who have been struck by this unfortunate event.

On May 20th 2012 an 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck Italy, the ShelterBox team then sent out boxes to families out there. But only one day after two other earthquakes struck this one with a magnitude of 6.0 and 5.8. This killed 16 people, and destroyed many buildings that had already been damaged by the first earthquake. ShelterBox then worked quickly to send out even more boxes for families who were in the middle of this disastrous event. They helped many families and the deployment was quickly completed by the fast workers at ShelterBox.

Thanks for reading, if you want to know any more visit http://www.shelterbox.org/index.php Please could you know leave some feedback with your thoughts on my blog, just a few words would be great! If you do post a response please include:

• Where you come from i.e. your home town, or country (if it’s not the UK)
• Were you aware of the charity ShelterBox before reading this?
• Do you now feel more informed on this issue?
• Would you now consider doing any of the following; Donating money, start/join a fundraising event, Tell friends or family about this blog, buy any merchandise made by ShelterBox or sign up to receive information and updates from ShelterBox.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you found it interesting!
Marilla