ROTARIANS in Thornbury have responded rapidly to the disaster in Haiti.

The group has collected more than £1,000 from the local community and has already sent aid to the country in the form of a ShelterBox, with two more boxes expected to be sent this week.

These boxes cost £500 each and contain a tent for 10 people, water purification equipment, food, cooking facilities, bedding, personal hygiene products and toys for children.

The box, which can support a family for many weeks, will be distributed by Rotary Clubs in the country.

Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12, killing a reported 150,000 people.

Since the disaster members of the Thornbury Rotary Club have been collecting money in the town in order to buy ShelterBoxes.

Last weekend a two-day bucket collection at the Wyevale Garden Centre, where Rotarians were joined by members of the Thornbury Inner Wheel Club, raised £910.

David Shaw, spokesman for the Thornbury Rotary Club, said: "As a result of this, two ShelterBoxes will be sent to Haiti through the Rotary International movement.

"Each ShelterBox costs £490 but can sustain a family of 10 people for many weeks because in each box there is water purification equipment, food, cooking utensils, a tent for 10 people, blankets, games for children.

"This was a wonderful response to the appeal and the people of Thornbury can be proud that they are providing good shelter and decency for 30 people in that devastated region."

Paul Hodges, manager of Wyevale Thornbury Garden Centre, added: "We are delighted that we were able to help The Rotary Club of Thornbury and Thornbury Inner Wheel Club raise £910 for the people of Haiti.

"All of the money raised will go towards sending the ShelterBoxes to those made homeless by this terrible natural disaster."