Cornwall Help Italy's Quake Survivors

Teams of volunteers from Cornish charity, ShelterBox, are driving over 2,485 miles to deliver emergency shelter to families in Northern Italy following two catastrophic earthquakes.

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck northern Italy on 29 May killing over 15 people and bringing down buildings near the city of Modena. 

This follows a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the same area on 20 May.

Reports say there is significant damage to infrastructure in the Emilia Romagna region and the latest tremor was felt in the cities of Bologna, Ferrar, Verona and Mantua. An estimated 14,000 people may now be without shelter.

An initial team of two volunteers left Helston on 25 May and drove all night to reach the town of San Felice, one of the worst affected by the first quake. A further two vans left the charity?s depot last night.

'Yes it is a long drive but we were able to bring the aid into the disaster hit country quicker, as opposed to flying it in and waiting for the boxes to clear customs,' said British ShelterBox volunteer, Graham Higginson, from Carleen, Cornwall.

The initial ShelterBox Response Team carried out site assessments, set up a camp and moved displaced families into the temporary shelter all within 24 hours of arriving. 

Shelterbox volunteer James Edgerley, from Helston, Cornwall: "Our fleetness of foot was helped by those who we worked with, including the local authorities who assisted us with ShelterBox allocation, ensuring the aid went to those families with most need." 

"Being my first deployment it was great to see first-hand the difference the tents have made to these families lives. I feel privileged to be part of such a great organisation that brings shelter, warmth and dignity to families across the world who have been made homeless by disaster."

This is the second time ShelterBox have responded to a disaster in Italy. 

In 2009 the charity sent 294 boxes to families affected by an earthquake in L'Aquila.

For moe information on Shelterbox CLICK HERE