British help arrives for Burma

Survival equipment is already being distributed by the British in Burma. While Western nations hesitate over sending aid, volunteers from Cornwall are already working alongside Burmese firemen in some of the worst devastation around Rangoon.
A team carrying boxes containing strong tents for 10 people, water purification equipment, clothing and tools have been distributing them for over a week. The boxes have been specially prepared for the area, containing mosquito nets and sometimes two nets instead of one.
ShelterBox, a charity started on the Lizard peninsula near the Royal Naval Air Station at Culdrose, has become famous for its intrepid aid support in difficult areas with hostile governments, including north Korea Iran and, earlier, Afghanistan. Around 1800 boxes have already been sent to Burma and a consignment is waiting at their Helston headquarters ready to be sent off to China. Volunteers have been working day and night to pack the boxes - a highly skilful and expertly organised selection of survival equipment for at least a month.
Founders of the organisation, led by Tom Henderson, include former officers from the Culdrose naval air station.
It functions with little bureaucracy, much determination and pioneering volunteers for the disaster work. The contact with the Burmese firefighters came through one who had trained in the west country earlier.
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