STAFF and volunteers at the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox welcomed Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant and his deputies to its Truro headquarters.
Sir Edward Bolitho, who represents His Majesty King Charles III in Cornwall and Scilly, was keen to find out more about how the charity fundraises for and responds to global crises.
The charity specialises in emergency shelter and supports people displaced by conflict, disaster and extreme weather. It is currently helping thousands in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, as well as countries across Africa including Cameroon and Somalia.
Sir Edward and 14 of his deputies were given a tour of the headquarters, got hands on with some of the aid items the charity distributes around the world, and found out more about severe flooding in Bangladesh.
“The global impact of this brilliant Cornish charity is quite remarkable, as is the work it does to support people around the world who have lost their homes to disaster,” said Sir Edward. “What stood out was how well prepared it is to respond before a disaster happens, and how determined it is to reach people most in need, often responding to crises that fall beneath the news radar.”
The Lieutenancy brings together organisations and individuals across the public, private and voluntary sector in Cornwall. The Lord Lieutenant is supported by a Vice Lord Lieutenant and up to 37 Deputy Lieutenants, appointed from people who have rendered service to the county.
“It was an honour to welcome the Lord Lieutenant to our headquarters as we approach our 25th anniversary next year,” said ShelterBox CEO Sanj Srikanthan. “ShelterBox’s roots in Cornwall are a source of immense pride for us, and the support we receive locally has been instrumental in enabling us to extend our reach globally.”
The visit comes follows the announcement that Her Majesty Queen Camilla would remain Patron of ShelterBox following a review of all patronages.
The King and Queen were first introduced to ShelterBox in 2006 as Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. The Queen was ShelterBox president from 2007, changing to Patron in May 2021.
To find out more about its work, visit shelterbox.org