Staff at the Scout Association headquarters have donated £1,000 to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Workers at the Gilwell Park centre, on Bury Road, Chingford, raised the cash between them to provide vital survival equipment for families in the disaster-struck country.

Richard Neville, the association's international advisor approached his colleagues less than a week ago and said he was amazed at their fast response.

“Everyone here has been so generous, he said. “I just sent round an e-mail last week and thought it would be good if we got about £100, so I'm staggered by the response we've had.”

Mr Neville said the idea was prompted by work he has done with the Shelterbox organisation.

Shelterbox provides a box filled with a tent, cooking equipment and other essentials, which enables family of 10 to survive for six months.

The Scout Association staff have raised enough for two of the boxes, which cost £490 each, and they will be able to keep track the boxes as they are despatched and delivered.

Mr Neville said: “We have a link with the charity so it is nice to help them and to know exactly what the money will be spent on.

“We will be able to track each box and find out where they have gone and who we have helped.”

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