TAVISTOCK Rotary Club members recently learned of the great work that disaster relief charity ShelterBox does during a talk from a fellow member.

David Glover, ShelterBox's Rotary relations officer, told the Tavistock Rotary Club of the phenomenal work that the charity does in partnership with other aid agencies.

For example, in one of its latest responses to the massive hurricane in Malaysia last December, ShelterBox deployed a team that erected a camp of 100 fully equipped tents in just three days.

From an idea originating at the Rotary Club of Helston in 2000, ShelterBox has grown into one of the world's most important disaster relief organisations.

David, a member of Tavistock Rotary, explained to the club his role in training volunteers and liaising with Rotary clubs throughout Britain and Ireland.

Although it began as a Rotary Millennium Project in 2000, ShelterBox grew so fast it has become an independent charity.

In 2012 Rotary International and ShelterBox became worldwide Rotary partners.

As part of this agreement, David explained, ShelterBox is able to draw on the resources of Rotarians throughout the world to support its work in disaster areas.

Whether using local knowledge to identify areas of immediate need or Rotarians in far-off countries working with customs authorities to speed up the supply of aid, Rotary is now at the heart of ShelterBox's efforts across the globe.

Tavistock Rotary president Tony Everitt said: 'Rotary has always been proud to be a part of the work of ShelterBox and the growing success of the partnership between us is testament to the importance of the global reach on both organisations.

'We in Tavistock are especially proud of the central part that David Glover plays in bringing the two of us together and raising the profile of both.'