Jenn’s litter pick challenge for people left without shelter after disaster
A Newquay woman has embarked on a unique mission this Lent to make a positive difference to the local environment while supporting people around the world left without shelter after disaster.
Every day throughout Lent, Jenn Sandiford will be litter picking her way around Newquay, in the company of her dog Groot, to raise funds for ShelterBox’s Tent for Lent Appeal. The international disaster relief charity provides emergency shelter and essential aid items for people uprooted from their homes by conflict and disaster. The charity’s Tent for Lent Appeal aims to raise awareness and crucial funds to support ShelterBox’s mission of ensuring no family goes without shelter.
The charity is encouraging supporters to join them in fundraising during Lent or give something up, donating the money they save to help people in need of shelter and emergency aid.
Inspired by the urgent need to address both local and global challenges, Jenn, 38, decided to combine her passion for environmental responsibility with a commitment to humanitarian causes.
Jenn, who lives at Treloggan, says: “I’m really proud to work for ShelterBox, but I wanted to do more. I am taking on the challenge of completing 40 litter picks over Lent. For me, this highlights a massive issue, that our impact on the environment has its consequences, and those consequences, are felt more by people in poorer countries, those people who are feeling the increased effect of climate instability and have no means to protect themselves from extreme weather.”
Jenn’s work at ShelterBox involves supporting volunteers and in her spare time she loves to be outdoors and spend time with her loved ones.
Jenn, who likes to walk, spend time in the sea, and sings with several community choirs, adds: “I want to lead by example and clean up my local environment, raise awareness of the damage we’re making and support ShelterBox with some fundraising so we can continue our work.”
ShelterBox currently has 12 active responses across the world and has confirmed a response in Gaza. Working alongside Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), the charity is set to support thousands of people with emergency shelter aid to help people survive wet and cold weather, and items like blankets, mattresses, and kitchen sets.
Louisa Arnold, Community Fundraising Officer at ShelterBox, says: “We are incredibly grateful for the support of people like Jenn who, through their creative fundraising, raise awareness of our work around the world.
“Litter picking every day for ShelterBox is such a tangible way to make a difference locally but also help us have an impact all around the world for people left without shelter after disaster.
“The Tent for Lent Appeal is an opportunity for the community to come together and make a real difference in the lives of those facing the harshest conditions and we’ve had almost 50 people and community groups sign up already.
“People are raising money in lots of different ways like giving up their beds or saving money to donate by giving up their favourite snack. Lent has only just started and there’s plenty of time for other people wanting to get involved to join in.”
- £35 could provide a family with a shelter tool kit which contains tools to maintain their shelter
- £60 could provide a family with a water filter giving them access to clean drinking water
- £425 could provide a family with a tent, a space for a family to call home. A perfect target for a group challenge.
Anyone keen to follow Jenn’s progress or make a donation can visit her fundraising page.
Anyone keen to find out more or get involved in Tent for Lent can visit shelterbox.org/tentforlent. To share your Tent for Lent challenge with ShelterBox, please email [email protected].
ENDS
For more information contact the press office at ShelterBox via [email protected].
Notes to Editors
- Interviews available with Jenn.
- Images and captions included.
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 2.5 million people since it was founded in 2000. www.shelterbox.org
