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ShelterBox takes to the water raising £2,500 for the charity
Story By: DAVID FOSTER
IMAGES: Doug Kurn
A Norfolk Rotarian has taken to the water in a converted ShelterBox, raising over £2500 for the Rotary-supported charity.
Paul Weatherill, 69, from Watton and District Rotary Club, piloted his home-built ShelterBoat down the Thames joining the Thames Traditional Boat Festival at Henley to then navigate his way for the next three days over 35 miles and 14 locks to a fantastic Rotary reception at Shepperton Lock.
Paul built the ShelterBoat from marine plywood around an iconic ShelterBox crate which had been used in an earlier life to deliver shelter and other life-saving equipment to those made homeless by disaster or conflict.
The ShelterBox formed the cockpit, with cutouts for the pilot’s legs. The ShelterBoat was powered by an electric outboard with a sail and rigging in ShelterBox livery.
ShelterBoat was launched on the Norfolk Broads in 2021, and again on the River Avon from Stratford-upon-Avon in 2023, raising over £6,000 for the charity.
Along the river, Paul was supported by Rotary clubs in Henley, Marlow, Bourne End and Cookham, Staines and Shepperton, helping to raise awareness with ShelterBox displays, banners and flyers. Churches, riverside pubs, sailing clubs and rowing clubs also got on board.
Paul said: “It was an idea myself and a friend had in lockdown. We didn’t have a lot to do, so we decided to build a boat out of a ShelterBox and see where that might take us. We had lots of companies getting on board, donating materials, lots of support from my Rotary friends, and we pulled it off together.”
“WE DECIDED TO BUILD A BOAT OUT OF A SHELTERBOX AND SEE WHERE THAT MIGHT TAKE US.”
Tim Vile, District Governor for Rotary South (District 1145) and a former ShelterBox responder, was there to cheer Paul’s arrival through Shepperton Lock. He said: “ShelterBox is close to our hearts across our District.
“I was incredibly proud that Rotarians from Shepperton & Sunbury and Shepperton Aurora clubs organised a great two-day display and fundraising alongside the Thames, with a wonderful and fitting flotilla and reception party to welcome Paul ashore.”
Katie Hodges, District Governor for Rotary Thames Valley (District 1090), cheered on the ShelterBoat launch at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival in Henley, and said: “Here is the magic of Rotary - making friends, having fun, and making a difference in the world!”
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