 FIRE service hero and Skegness Rotarian Robin Wilkinson is appealing to people to go on giving generously to earthquake victims in Haiti.
Robin, 53, spent 11 days in the devastated country with fire and rescue colleagues.
Now he knows more than ever that Rotary's ShelterBoxs –containing 10-man tents and life-saving essentials –are needed if Haitians are to get back on their feet. Robin is a watch manager at Lincoln North Fire Station and was involved in three previous earthquake search and rescue operations before going to the Caribbean.
In Haiti he spent days searching for survivors who might be freed from the mountains of rubble in the "flattened" city of Port-au-Prince.
Robin and UN guards took an injured woman to hospital for treatment in an open-backed 4x4.
He said: "We made a makeshift bed out of a door and found a mattress to put her on."
The father of four is now home safe with his wife Jo.
But his world of plenty is in stark contrast to the Haiti he left behind. Robin said: "They literally have nothing."
Skegness Rotary Club has already sent six ShelterBoxs to Haiti and, says Robin, Rotary always makes sure its aid goes directly to people who need it. Every penny donated goes to ShelterBoxes rather than administration costs.
Robin said: "At the minute people there are living in shelters they have made up themselves with sheets and wood construction –sometimes they may have found a bit of tin for the roof.
"The ShelterBoxes have a 10-person tent, together with cooking equipment and all the stuff you would need to be self-sufficient for up to a year or more.
"I want to say how much I appreciate all the support from Rotarians while I was away and how much I appreciate Jo for allowing me to go off to do this work at five minutes' notice."
The dangers cannot be overestimated because search and rescue experts run the risk of further building collapses in earthquake zones. There's also an ever-present danger of aftershocks or a second earthquake. But for Robin the joy of rescuing someone, "the adrenlaine buzz", makes it all worthwhile.
Anyone wishing to donate towards a £490 ShelterBox can contact John Stone, tel 07770 848684, or write to Stone Printers, Unit 2 Beaubridge Business Park, Heath Road, Skegness PE25 3ST
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