A SPUR of the moment street collection raised nearly £1,000 for flood-hit Pakistanis after generous Ringwood shoppers dug deep to help.

Two of the town’s Rotary Club members decided during a walk home from a meeting to seize the moment and go out collecting the next day.

The pair – Laurie Dormer and Geoff Timms – got home and immediately set about roping in 15 members to help.

For four hours the Rotarians filled tins with cash to help the millions devastated by floods in Pakistan, hoping to raise enough for one shelter box.

The boxes contain a tent to accommodate 10 people, a heater and cooking equipment, tools for cutting and using timber plus water purification equipment, a powerful clockwork torch, mosquito nets and a waterproof poncho. It also includes 10 sleeping bags and thermal blankets.

In the end, the club was able to buy two boxes with the money it collected at The Furlong Mr Dormer said: “From a thought to it becoming a reality in less than 24 hours is typical of Rotary at its best.

“I think it shows that fellow human beings are feeling moved by the plight of other human beings on the other side of the world.

“The last time we raised this sort of money in such a short time was after the tsunami six years ago – people were handing over £10, £15, and £20 at a time.

“And the invention of the £2 coin is the best thing ever for street collections - people don’t seem to give it a second thought.”

Anyone wishing to help the Rotarians to fund another shelter box can do so by either sending money direct to the club’s bank account: Rotary Club of Ringwood Ref: Shelter Box appeal, sort code 40-38-21 and account number 61375237, or by calling Mr Dormer on 01425 475440 for more information.

n THE Rotary Club of Fordingbridge has already sent seven water survival boxes to flood disaster victims in Pakistan, using some of the cash raised at the Summer Festival last month.

The boxes are in the process of being flown out to the worst-hit areas as part of a much larger national Rotary effort.

Fordingbridge Rotary Club had a water survival box on display on its stand at the festival. One box provides the essentials for living in such desperate conditions, but, crucially, is itself a water filtration unit, enabling safe drinking water to be produced for a family group.

The club’s international chairman Iain Savage said: “Our club here in Fordingbridge regularly plays its small part in these major initiatives, using the proceeds of its fundraising activities - not only internationally but also in the local community.