TAVISTOCK Rotary Club is appealing for sponsors to come forward and help fill special boxes to be used in the wake of disasters throughout the world.
The club has filled 50 Aquaboxes throughout the years — strong, 80 litre containers which are packed with welfare items including water purification tablets, filter kits, medicines, clothes and foodstuffs.
Peter Barron of Tavistock Rotary Club said: 'Aquaboxes have been used to fight disease in Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, India, Kosovo, Romania and Sierra Leone amongst many others in recent years.
'Disaster comes in many forms — earthquakes, cyclones, floods etc and the most urgent problem facing the relief agencies is the provision of a supply of safe drinking water.'
Mr Barron said Aquaboxes have been filled by a wide variety of organisations throughout the years, including schools, churches, scouts and guides and the club is looking for more groups who would be willing to fill boxes.
'The welfare items included in the box need not be new — second hand goods are perfectly acceptable and include such items as clothing, eating and drinking equipment, hygiene items, soap etc,' said Mr Barron, who said a comprehensive list would be supplied with each box.
When the boxes are filled, the club will arrange collection and transportation to a freight depot, where they are held in store until a suitable emergency arises.
Anyone interested in filling an Aquabox should contact 01822 613176 or any member of Tavistock Rotary Club.