Phenomenal response to Haiti appeal
When Haiti was struck by the recent earthquake, members of Cookstown Rotary Club decided to carry out fundraising with a view to purchasing Shelterboxes to be sent to the devastated area. Cookstown Rotary has an excellent track record of buying Shelterboxes and the Club was aware that the Rotary charity had a response team in Haiti.
In order to raise some much needed funds Cookstown Rotary organised charity breakfasts in two local hotels. Building on the positive response from the breakfasts, the Club then decided to engage with local Schools and Businesses, many of which agreed to support the appeal. The response to the fundraising effort has been amazing and to date Cookstown Rotary has raised over £22,000. The Club has already purchased 39 Shelterboxes and it is likely that over 50 Shelterboxes will be purchased in total.
Such has been the response to the appeal, Ulster Television highlighted the efforts of Cookstown Rotary Club on the UTV evening news, interviewing Rotarians Colin Thompson and Neil Downing, who is also Principal of Cookstown Primary School, one of a number of schools which raised money for the appeal.
Stephen Wilson and Colin Thompson have co-ordinated the Haiti appeal on behalf of Cookstown Rotary Club and Colin commented, ‘Following the Haiti disaster we in Rotary decided to try and raise enough money to buy a few Shelterboxes. However, we never expected the response which we have received. The community of Cookstown and beyond have been very supportive from Businesses to local Schools, and individuals making donations. We would like to thank everyone who supported our fundraising efforts and all those who supported the appeal can be assured that their donations are already being used to great effect in Haiti'.
Should anyone wish to make a donation, cheque donations can be made payable to Cookstown Rotary Club Haiti Appeal, C/O Glenavon Hotel, 52 Drum Road, Cookstown, BT80 8JQ.
