Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant Visits ShelterBox: Discover the Global Impact of This Cornish Charity

Photo: Lord Lieutenant for Cornwall Sir Edward Bolitho and CEO of ShelterBox Sanj Srikanthan

A Visit to ShelterBox Headquarters

This week, ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity based in Truro, welcomed Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant Sir Edward Bolitho and 14 of his deputies. The Lord Lieutenant represents His Majesty King Charles III in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the visit offered the group a firsthand look at the charity’s vital global efforts.

A Royal Connection and Global Reach

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Her Majesty The Queen would remain Patron of ShelterBox after a review of patronages. ShelterBox, which specialises in emergency shelter, supports people displaced by conflict, extreme weather, and disasters. Currently, the charity is assisting families affected by conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. It is also providing relief to those affected by severe flooding in Bangladesh.

Photo: Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant and his deputies had chance to see the type of aid items the charity responds with around the world

The Lord Lieutenant’s Reflections

Sir Edward shared his admiration for ShelterBox’s preparedness and determination in responding to crises, many of which receive little media attention. He noted that the charity’s ability to react swiftly and effectively to disasters around the globe is a point of pride for Cornwall. He also highlighted ShelterBox’s global impact and their mission to ensure no one is left without shelter when disaster strikes.

ShelterBox’s Cornish Roots

The charity’s CEO, Sanj Srikanthan, expressed his gratitude for the visit, noting that ShelterBox’s Cornish roots play a significant role in its international work. The charity is approaching its 25th anniversary next year and continues to expand its efforts worldwide, with ongoing work in the Middle East and several African countries, including Cameroon and Somalia.

ShelterBox has a long-standing royal connection, having been first introduced to Their Majesties The King and Queen in 2006, during their official visit to Pakistan. The Former Duchess of Cornwall served as President of the charity from 2007 until 2021, before becoming its Patron.

To learn more about ShelterBox’s global mission, visit shelterbox.org.

Photo: Cornwall’s Lord Lieutenant visited ShelterBox’s Truro headquarters with his deputies