Shropshire pub couple fundraising for hurricane victims
A Shropshire couple who were honeymooning in Cuba when Hurricane Irma ripped through the island are fundraising for those who lost everything in the disaster.
Julian and Russ Raymond-Sandy run the Last Inn at Hengoed, near Oswestry.
They will hold a fundraising night on Friday with an auction, raffle and entertainment.
Proceeds raised will go to to by Shelterboxes, a Rotary Club initiative.
The Shelterbox contains a tent, blankets, cooking facilities, water purifier and tools and is given out to families in disaster zones.
Russ said: “We are raising money for the Caribbean islands that were affected by the hurricane and we would like people to come along and also donate auction items."
Julian said the couple were confined to inside the hotel for 36 hours. But he said for the local people Hurricane Irma was life changing.
“The hotel staff had to stay on site and one man had an 18-month-old baby. He had no supplies or baby milk as the supermarket was shut by the time he returned home to his family. They had nothing.
"We went out of the hotel and bought him some baby milk and luxuries which would cost them more than triple of their monthly wage.
“The aftermath was horrific.”
Mike Lade, president of the Oswestry Rotary Club praised the couple for their fundraising.
He said: “Shelterbox is a big green box full of essentials. There is a tent specially made to accommodate a family up to 10 people, a waterproof base, blankets, water purification kit, a stove, full set of cutlery, tools, mosquito net and even a school kit so children can continue their education.”
If you would like to donate something for the auction you can drop it off at The Last Inn Pub in Hengoed.
