Press release – 31 January 2025
Students from a school in north Cornwall have raised more than two thousand pounds for the international disaster relief charity ShelterBox. Pupils at Sir James Smith School in Camelford have been running a special after-school club since September 2023 to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox.
The Truro-based charity specialises in emergency shelter, supporting people affected by disaster and conflict across the world. As well as crucial shelter aid it also supports affected communities with training, cash assistance, and essential items like water filters, mosquito nets, and solar lights.
The school children meet once a fortnight after lessons to discuss issues like disasters, the climate crisis, and the charity’s work around the world.
Every disaster and conflict is different, so ShelterBox tailors its aid to each response, so people get the support they need. In Gaza, the charity’s focus is emergency shelter like tents and tarpaulins, and blankets, water carriers, and kitchen sets.
The school’s head of geography, Gabi Zankl, runs the club. She says: “The enthusiasm for the club has grown year on year where students are actively demonstrating each of our school’s core values: connected, creative and committed.
“Students have connected to ShelterBox through learned experiences in the Geography curriculum when they study natural hazards and how charities respond to disasters on a global scale.
“Students at the club are driven by the fact they want to support people in other countries who are rebuilding their communities and therefore, students continue to use their creativity to come up with the next fundraising idea.”
The school, which has held non-uniform days and cake sales to raise funds, has a ShelterBox display in its library and has invited guest speakers from the charity to talk at assemblies.
At a recent visit and cheque presentation at the school, ShelterBox volunteer Ros McLaughlin was able to thank the children and school community for their support.
Community Fundraising Assistant at ShelterBox, John Stanbury says: “Under Gabi Zankl’s inspired leadership, the after-school club has built extraordinary momentum with pupils planning successive events to help communities affected by conflict or disaster.
“The ShelterBox aid items on display in the school library are representative of how these opportunities for learning and empathy extend through the school. We’re extremely thankful to everyone involved.”
The group already has plans to fundraise further in 2025, with a quiz night in the spring and a film night in the summer, as well as a row-athon using the school’s latest gym equipment, already in their diaries.
As well as the Middle East, ShelterBox is supporting people affected by the conflict in Sudan. The charity has supported people fleeing the conflict with items like tarpaulins and rope to help with the construction of temporary shelters, as well as solar lights, mosquito nets, and blankets.
To find out more about ShelterBox and its responses across the world visit shelterbox.org.
ENDS
For more information contact the press office at ShelterBox via [email protected].
Notes to Editors
- Images and captions included
- Interviews available on request
About ShelterBox
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and other essential items to families who have lost their homes to disasters. With operational headquarters in Cornwall, the charity also has 13 affiliate organisations worldwide.
The charity has been Rotary International’s project partner in disaster relief since 2012. ShelterBox has supported more than 3 million people since it was founded in 2000. www.shelterbox.org.
