Logan Rotarians gave up their warm beds for a night on the cold ground, knowing they could return to them the next morning.
That certainty was what their camp-out sought to highlight: families forced from their homes by disaster or conflict do not get to choose when their displacement ends.
Rotary Club of Logan president Bruce Mills, 69, and fellow members camped outdoors on Saturday 8 August for ShelterBox Australia’s Off the Grid challenge and, for some participants, they were sleeping outdoors for the first time.
Ahead of the camp-out, Mr Mills said he had always had the security of a roof and warm bed.
“Many people around the world do not enjoy those comforts especially after experiencing a disaster,” he said.
But he also joked about one practical concern.
“I hope that I can get up in the morning after sleeping on the ground,” Mr Mills said.
“Some of my club members are of a similar or older vintage. But that is a small price to pay for a good cause.”
Club member Leenore D’Cruz said the Rotarians’ temporary discomfort was intended to draw attention to circumstances others did not choose.
“For us, going off the grid is a choice,” she said.
“For families suddenly displaced from their homes, it isn’t. That’s why we’re doing it.”
The Logan team had raised $2090 by Monday 3 August, surpassing its $2000 target before the camp-out.
The club had raised almost $20,000 through previous fundraisers.
The charity’s 2025 impact report records a $3000 contribution from last year’s Off the Grid challenge.
Money raised through the challenge supported ShelterBox’s work providing emergency shelter and essential household items to displaced families.
Depending on what affected communities need, its assistance can include tents, shelter kits, blankets, solar lights, mosquito nets, kitchen sets and water filters.
ShelterBox said it and local partners had recently completed aid distributions for 2000 families affected by an earthquake in Mindanao in the Philippines.
Its teams were also assessing emergency shelter needs following earthquakes in Venezuela in June.
Fellow Rotarian Tony Capitano said raising awareness was “equally, if not more important” than collecting money.
He hoped the Logan camp-out would keep distant disasters in public view after the immediate headlines faded and encourage people to reflect on comforts they often took for granted.
ShelterBox began as a Rotary club project in Cornwall in 2000 and became an independent charity three years later.
Information published by the charity says it has since supported more than three million people across about 100 countries.
More information about the Logan fundraiser is available at the Off the Grid website.
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