ShelterBoat Visits Upper Thames Sailing Club, Raising Awareness for ShelterBox

Published 13:10 on 22 Jul 2024

Sunday morning at Upper Thames Sailing Club, ShelterBoat, a unique vessel with a mission, arrived and moored along the hard. Helmed by Paul Weatherill, a dedicated member of the Watton and District Rotary Club in Norfolk, ShelterBoat's journey on the River Thames is yet another inspiring chapter in its voyage to raise funds and awareness for the disaster relief charity, ShelterBox.

At 11:00 AM, ShelterBoat made its approach from around the bend of Spade Oak gracefully navigating the bend and mooring along the club's hard. The commodore of the Upper Thames Sailing Club greeted Weatherill, exchanging pleasantries and expressing support for the noble cause. The vessel, a tiny dinghy ingeniously built around the iconic green aid box of ShelterBox, immediately attracted attention from club members and passersby alike.

Paul Weatherill, reflecting on the inspiration behind ShelterBoat, shared, "During the lockdown, with the assistance of an engineer friend, we built this tiny dinghy around the ShelterBox. It has sails and an electric outboard, making it both practical and symbolic of ShelterBox's mission. We call it ShelterBoat."

Since its maiden voyage in 2021, ShelterBoat has embarked on various fundraising journeys. It first sailed up the Norfolk Broads to Norwich, raising nearly £2000 for ShelterBox. In 2023, it navigated the River Avon, journeying from Shakespeare's Stratford to the River Severn at Tewkesbury, and raised over £3500 with the support of Rotary partners and boat clubs.

This year, ShelterBoat's adventure on the River Thames spans 36 miles, from Henley to Shepperton Lock, over three days. The project continues to embody the spirit of ShelterBox, a charity dedicated to providing essential shelter and tools for rebuilding communities after disasters.

As ShelterBoat moored, volunteers from the local Rotary arrived and set up stations to collect donations. The support from the local community was palpable, with many contributing generously to the cause. The presence of ShelterBoat served as a poignant reminder of the importance of emergency relief and the difference it can make in disaster-stricken areas.

ShelterBox is actively involved in providing aid in recent disaster zones, including the floods in Pakistan and earthquakes in Türkiye, Syria, and Morocco. They also operate in conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza, ensuring that affected individuals receive the necessary tools, cooking equipment, shelter, and warm bedding to rebuild their lives and hope.

By noon, ShelterBoat set sail once again, continuing its journey downriver towards its next destination. The departure was marked by cheers and well-wishes from the crowd, a testament to the community's support and the impact of ShelterBox's mission.