ShelterBox began in 2000 as a Cornish Rotary Club’s millennium project. With the support of Rotary members and clubs around the world, ShelterBox grew to become an internationally recognised, independent disaster relief organisation. Since 2012, ShelterBox and Rotary have been official Project Partners in disaster relief.

Rotarians and Rotary groups across the world support Shelterbox in a variety of ways, from raising funds and awareness to providing support on the ground during a response to a disaster.This enables Shelterbox to work more effectively and reach communities around the world.

Over many years, ShelterBox, with significant support from Rotary, has responded to various emergencies across multiple continents. In 2023 the organisation provided essential shelter and aid to thousands of families affected by disasters in countries such as Türkiye, Morocco, Libya, and Ukraine.

These responses were tailored to meet the specific needs of affected communities, ranging from emergency tents and blankets to more durable shelter solutions and hygiene kits.

• Türkiye and Syria: Following devastating earthquakes, ShelterBox, in collaboration with Rotary in Türkiye, provided over 2,500 UN family tents, 8,000 blankets, and other vital supplies to more than 12,500 people. The efforts ensured that families could remain in their communities, supporting their recovery and livelihood activities.

• Morocco: After a significant earthquake in the Atlas Mountains, ShelterBox and Rotary International delivered emergency shelter aid to remote villages, aiding approximately 4,400 people. The collaboration involved local Rotary clubs in the preparation and distribution of aid, showcasing the critical role of community involvement.

• Libya: In response to severe flooding caused by Storm Daniel, ShelterBox partnered with ACTED to distribute winterization kits, hygiene kits, and household items to over 2,000 displaced individuals. This effort was crucial in providing warmth and protection during Libya’s cold winter months.

ShelterBox’s work across Africa in 2023 was marked by its response to the continent’s complex humanitarian crises, driven by conflicts and climate change.

• Cameroon and Chad: In regions plagued by conflict, ShelterBox provided a range of emergency, transitional, and durable shelters to over 9,800 families. These projects were essential in supporting displaced populations with safe living conditions and the necessary tools for rebuilding their lives.

• Mozambique and Somalia: Collaborating with partners like CARE and IOM, ShelterBox supported thousands of families with shelter kits and household items in response to conflicts and natural disasters. These efforts included the distribution of cash assistance and the construction of transitional shelters, ensuring that vulnerable populations could remain in their communities and maintain their livelihoods.

The organization has adapted its approach to include more flexible and sustainable aid options, such as locally procured materials and cash assistance, which allow affected people greater autonomy in their recovery. Additionally, ShelterBox has focused on reducing its environmental impact by cutting down on single-use plastics and enhancing the durability of its shelter solutions.

Rotary clubs worldwide have been instrumental in fundraising, logistics, and local engagement, making it possible for ShelterBox to reach more communities in need. The partnership between the two organizations has evolved over the years, becoming a model of effective humanitarian collaboration.

We’re gearing up for our annual Swimathon, an event that’s become synonymous with community spirit, charitable giving and, not least, aquatic prowess. The 2024 edition promises to be bigger, better, and more impactful than ever before, as swimmers of all ages and abilities take to the water to make a splash for a host of worthy causes.

If you can swim and you are at least 8 years old, come along and have some fun and raise money for charity while you do.

The event will be held on the 13th October 2024 from 9am until 6pm at Pool in the Park, Kingfield Rd, Woking.

The money raised this year will be shared between a number of local charities supported by Woking Rotary Club including, amongst others, Woking & Sam Beare Hospices, Samber-RDA, Citizens Advice Woking, GASP Motor Project and Woking Youth Theatre.

Once again we’re looking for a total of 60 teams to swim for 55 mins. Each team can have up to six team members.

We aim to have six teams per hour swimming between 9am and 6pm.

Each team is allocated a lane; however, only one team member swims at a time.

On average this means that each member swims between 10 and 20 lengths during the 55 minutes. There is, however, no need for each team member to swim the same number of lengths.

Every team member invites sponsorship for their team.

Since its inception, the Rotary Woking Swimathon has captured the hearts and minds of locals, drawing participants from across the region eager to do their part for charity. Typically we have over 300 swimmers entering, collectively covering a staggering distance equivalent to crossing the English Channel multiple times over. The result? An average of over £10,000 each year raised for a variety of charitable causes, from supporting vulnerable communities to funding vital medical research.