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Photo: ShelterBox Operations Manager Alf Evans, ShelterBox UK General Manager Tim Bunting, Ben Ainslie and ShelterBox Chief Operating Officer John Leach at ShelterBox headquarters                 Credit: Hugh Hastings

Triple Olympic gold medallist and nine times World Champion sailor, Ben Ainslie, has pledged his support for ShelterBox following a visit to the disaster relief charity’s Helston headquarters this week.
 

Ben, who is currently training in Falmouth ahead of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup (13-18May) said: ‘I knew of ShelterBox but did not actually realise they were based so close to my parent's home and to where I was brought up in Cornwall. 
 

‘Having visited them and seen first-hand the work they do and the challenges they face, I am delighted to be asked to help in any way that I can. Initially this will be through supporting the organisation's fund-raising efforts and introducing some of my own business contacts who may be able to make ShelterBox become even more effective. 
 

‘It was especially interesting to learn how ShelterBox are deployed somewhere in the world every day. It may not always be national news, but the charity goes to where it is needed giving warmth, comfort and shelter to people who desperately need it, and that is vital work that is always worth supporting.’
 

Tim Bunting, ShelterBox UK General Manager, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that Ben has chosen to support ShelterBox. The awareness he raises will help us generate vital funds to respond to future natural and manmade disasters around the world. He is an extremely talented British sportsman and we wish him the best of luck in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Finn Gold Cup next week and in the Olympics.’