Queen Camilla Marks 25 Years of ShelterBox with Heartfelt Visit to Cornwall
Queen Camilla has praised the work of ShelterBox, the Cornish emergency relief charity celebrating its 25th anniversary, while acknowledging the unfortunate reality that their services will be needed “more and more” in the years ahead.
Her Majesty has a long-standing relationship with the Truro-based charity, having first encountered its work during a visit to Pakistan in 2006. She recalled her surprise at seeing “these good-looking Cornishmen with a mule and a box on top” helping survivors of the devastating earthquake. Deeply impressed, she became ShelterBox’s president in 2007, later taking on the role of patron in 2021.
During her anniversary visit, the Queen toured the charity’s headquarters, viewing the iconic green boxes, shelter kits, and aid supplies that have supported more than three million people across nearly 100 countries since ShelterBox was founded by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in 2000.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the milestone, with Queen Camilla paying tribute to the extraordinary dedication of staff, volunteers, and supporters who have sustained the charity’s mission for a quarter of a century.
The Queen also met members of the ShelterBox Book Club, whose fundraising efforts have contributed over £1.5 million to disaster relief projects, and heard stories from those who have supported the charity since its earliest days. Paul Knight, a founding trustee, recalled how the initiative began in response to the Kosovo refugee crisis, raising £1,200 in just a few hours — the seed that grew into a globally recognized humanitarian organization.
Among the younger generation of supporters was Thomas, a 13-year-old fundraiser who creates clay snails to raise money for ShelterBox. Inspired by his grandmother’s Cornish roots and moved by the plight of people in Ukraine, Thomas has already raised more than £2,000. Her Majesty warmly praised his efforts, calling his creativity and compassion an inspiration.
The visit also extended to other community initiatives in Cornwall. In Newquay, the Queen officially named Cornwall Air Ambulance’s new £2.85 million helicopter, which has already begun life-saving service. She also spent time with the Cornwall Community Foundation, which has distributed over £22 million in grants to grassroots projects, and met with residents supported by the Turnaround Project at Wave House Church, which provides mentoring and housing for vulnerable young people.
One particularly charming moment came when 11-year-old Eliana presented the Queen with handmade candles from her homegrown business. Queen Camilla praised the young entrepreneur as “very enterprising” and encouraged her to keep up her efforts.
The day’s engagements highlighted both the enduring strength of Cornwall’s community spirit and the Queen’s personal commitment to supporting organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives, at home and abroad.
