AN international charity that responds to natural and man-made disasters has benefited from the fundraising activities of two local organisations.

Members of the South Norfolk Trefoil Guild presented a cheque for �500 to the Diss and District Rotary Club last week, which will go to the Shelterbox charity.

The guild, which is made up of people who have been, or still are, involved with Girl Guides or Scouting, has been raising funds for essentials for people in disaster areas since its formation in 1998. The group has since bought and filled 20 Aquaboxes over the years which have been dispatched with the help of Diss and District Rotary Club, which have been shipped to areas where floods, earthquakes or other catastrophes have left people homeless and helpless.

Last year, the South Norfolk Trefoil Guild decided to mark the centenary of the Guiding movement by buying a Shelterbox, which contains a tent that is able to accommodate up to 10 people as well as blankets, water purification equipment, stove, cooking utensils and tools. And on Thursday, the president of the Diss and District Rotary Club, John Gallen, was invited by the Guild to their meeting at Roydon to receive a cheque for �500 for the 'celebration' Shelterbox from chairman Sheila Coleman. Mr Gallen said he was grateful for the special donation and for the constant support from the South Norfolk Trefoil Guild for the Aquaboxes over the years and he looked forward to continuing the partnership.