Rotary Emergency Box Schemes

Supporting those caught up in disasters around the world including Hurricane Melissa

These Emergency Box schemes have been developed to help those who have lost everything due to natural and man made disasters. Visit their websites for the latest information on which countries they are currently supporting, often with the help of partners organisations who are able to help deliver the aid. These three charities are supported by Rotary Clubs in Cumbria and Lancashire, and have developed project partnerships with the wider Rotary organisation.

Aquabox was originally established in 1992 by the Wirksworth Rotary Club, and is a registered charity and limited company. It provides safe drinking water and humanitarian aid and more than 125,000 Aqua-aid humanitarian aid boxes have been provided to countries around the world helping hundreds of thousands of people in times of crisis.

Each Aqua-aid box contains a family filter, plus a range of items such as tools, lighting, survival aids, cooking equipment, eating and drinking, educational aids and hygiene provisions. A single Aquabox family filter can convert up to half a million litres of polluted water into safe, clean water and gives hope to people.

Shipments in 2025 include to Yemen, Ukraine, Myanmar and Nepal. Aquabox website

ShelterBox began in 2000 as a millennium project of Helston-Lizard Rotary. They are now a registered charity and limited company and have expanded to provide emergency shelter and essential household items. The aid will vary depending upon the situation and can include family-sized tents, heavy duty tarpaulins, ropes and nails that can patch-up damaged buildings. Other items can include essential items such as water filters, mosquito nets, and cooking sets to help people survive.

Over recent years aid has been delivered into Gaza, Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar and Mozambique. They have a financial appeal for Gazi. Shelterbox website

Water Survival Box is the initiative of the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge, England. Its primary purpose is to provide a means of purifying water. It was developed out of work undertaken at the time of the Asian Tsunami in 2004 and a charitable trust in the form of a limited company was established in 2006.

The Survival Boxes include items relating to health, hygiene, shelter, survival and general household items, a water filter and pump. The shelter and survival items include a variety of tools, rope and tarpaulin. General household items include sewing kits, basic first aid, personal washing items, stationery and female hygiene.

September 2025 shipments include to Ukraine and Honduras. Water survival box website

Visit the Rotary in Great Britian & Ireland for details of other charities who provide aid to disasters around the world. Rotary GB&I Emergency Response Charities webpage.

back to page above this...

International

back What we are doing in Cumbria & Lancashire

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Business / Community Membership

Cockermouth Rotary Club invites local businesses / community groups to join our club with our new Business / Community Membership to help build skills, make new friendships, get involved in local and international projects and most importantly have fun.

Entrants for our local Rotary Young Musician Competition.

A really enjoyable evening for our Young Musician Competition

Picture of the finished Harris Park gates....also a picture of the gates sandblasted back to bare metal before painting.

President Andy Carter and fellow club members in 2024 completed repainting of the ornate gateway into the town's Harris Park.

Rotary plant and care for this area in our town to offer a warm welcome to all who come here.

Our annual Golf Tournament at Cockermouth Golf Club

Some of the Calendar design and creation team.

It's back! The Club has once again produced the glossy calendar with fresh pictures of our gem Georgian town for each month of the year.

Raised Herb/Vegetable beds ready for cutting.

We have planted various Herb Beds around the town.

A great competition and some worthy winners

Our annual inter-school football competition...Sun 18 May 2025, 1:00pm - 3:30pm at TarnClose

Tools for Self-Reliance Partnership

Working together to bring help

The Rotary Host of Daffodils ...plans being made for 2025

2022 the Rotary Host of Daffodils

Charitable Trust Grant Application Form

We normally meet on the first Monday of the month to consider any grant applications. Please ensure you read page 3 to check if you may be eligible for a grant.

The competitors in the 2017 Rotary Young Musicians contest...Pic Trevor Earthy

High standard of entries this year for the Young Musician contest...Pic Trevor Earthy

To help boost the Georgian town of Cockermouth the Rotary Club has once again produced a glossy calendar for the town for 2022

Back row:- Larry Branyan, District Governor; Joe Fagan, President Elect; Alan Tyson, Cockermouth Mayor. Front row:- Brian Mitchelhill, President; Paul Hancock, Cheshire Chief Fire Officer; Philip Straughton, President Nominee

Over 100 attendees helped the Club celebrate its 78th Charter in 2017

President Andy meets Holly the bear's new owners.

Holly the bear helped raise around £200 for the Henderson Suite at West Cumberland Hospital.

Chef of the Year winner Matthew Morris and Club President

Tasty meals created by pupils of Cockermouth School for this year's Rotary Young Chef contest.

Crocus planting around Cockermouth to mark Rotary work in helping eradicate polio across the world.

Cockermouth Rotary Club fielded a team for the 2017 Dragon Boat Race on Derwentwater, Keswick. And they plan to race again in 2018..

Application Form for Funding

We consider applications from individuals or groups, particularly in the Cockermouth area, subject to certain criteria. Contact our Secretary:-secretary@cockermouth.rotary1190.org for an application form to complete and return by email.

President Brian Mitchelhill&Rotarian Bob Harwood at the presentation of the ruckdacks to Nick Landells from the Cumbria Alliance.

Presentation of Rucksacks to the Cumbria Alliance who organise D of E expeditions.

Pauline and Douggie Hardie and Club President Brian Mitchelhill. Picture by Trevor Earthy

The work of Cumbrian charity Dewode in Uganda was featured at an April 2018 meeting.

Thanks to organising by Alastair Sharp and the team a DEWODE charity film night was held on the 8th June 2018

Outgoing President Jimmy Wood gets a rousing vote of Thanks as he hands over to the Club's new President Andy Carter.

President Joe Fagan and some of the senior citizens enjoying the annual Christmas event.

In 2019 again some 70 enjoyed a very successful Senior Citizens Party with Rotarians providing a Christmas feast for many who might otherwise have missed out on festive fare.

Some of the children who enjoyed Kids Out 2014

The 2014 Kids Out saw 31 children from our area enjoy a day out...

Teams taking part in the busy 2014 Primary School Technology Tournament

The Club organised highly successful Young Technology Tournaments this year 2014.

Left to right: President Nominee Dave Siddall, Chairman of James Walkers Mr Peter Needham, President Joe Fagan, District 1190 Govenor Mary Bradley, the Mayor of Cockermouth David Malloy and President Elect Phillip Straughton. (Picture :Trevor Earthy)

President Joe Fagan welcomed 86 guests to a successful Charter Celebration in 2018

President Phillip and Rotarian Val among those helping ensure Taste was a big success..

Over 25,000 enjoy Taste Cumbria weekends and Club members were out in force in 2019 selling the Rotary calendar for cockermouth and helping with the park and ride service