Kent students raise money for Japan earthquake victims

A fund raising event for Japan earthquake victims has been organised and launched by Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) students.

The initiative has been inspired by one of the 60 Japanese students at CCCU - Izumi Hara. She asked for help the president of Christ Church Students' Union, Steve Godwin who organised a meeting with other students and organisations.

“We just got together and discussed what we could do to help,” said Mr Godwin.

“It was kind of an emotional meeting which I attended together with representatives of the Student Support and Guidance at CCCU. We met with three of our Japanese students. I still cannot imagine what they are going through at this devastating time,” he added.

The purpose of the event was to raise money for shelter boxes that will provide emergency aid to the most severely affected areas of Japan. They contain custom designed family tent, waterproof ground mats, thermal fleece blankets, mosquito nets, children’s activity pack, stove, cooking equipment, a tool kit, water containers & purification tablets and warm hats and gloves.

The money has been raised through different initiatives throughout the CCCU campuses in Canterbury, Medway, Folkestone and Broadstairs. Student volunteers have donated items, sold donuts and homemade cakes, and encouraged everyone on campus to take part in the event.

Apart from the Students' Union and Student Support and Guidance service the initiative has been supported by the Chaplaincy, The Rotary Club of Canterbury Sunrise and Canterbury Rotary Club.

Everyone who would like to support the initiative can still donate through www.shelterbox.org.

You can listen to the interview with Steve Godwin here: