A camping trip in the middle of Highworth has helped to raise thousands for a disaster charity.

Rotarian Terry Williams, 62, of Highworth, pitched his ShelterBox emergency tent on the Podium in the Market Place last month and lived in it for seven days and nights.

The week got off to a wet start with torrential downpours throughout the first day, but Terry did not let that put him off and luckily the weather picked up for the rest of the week.

He said despite a few disturbed nights it had been a good experience and the event raised more than £6,000.

In the run up to the sleepout, Terry spent several nights sleeping in his garden in temperatures as low as -10C in preparation for the challenge.

Businesses supported him throughout the week by delivering breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“It went really well but by the end of the week I didn’t realise how tired I actually was,” said Terry.

“I think we got lucky with the weather, apart from the first day. I was pleasantly surprised by the response I got.

“I was hoping to raise enough for four or five boxes, which would have cost around £2,500 but the amount I have raised will be able to buy many more.

“I think I achieved my aim – the fact that I got so much press coverage meant that all of those who live in Highworth, if not Swindon, knew what I was doing which raised the profile of the charity. Hopefully next time there is a natural disaster then as well as the normal charities, such as Oxfam, people will now think of ShelterBox as well.”

ShelterBox delivers emergency shelter to people affected by natural disasters. It provides all the essentials a family needs to survive in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

The ShelterBoxes usually cost £590 each and stocks are low due to the many recent natural disasters around the world, including the storms and floods that killed hundreds of people in the Philippines last week.

Each large, green ShelterBox is tailor-made to help after a disaster and contains a relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage, filtration equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.

When asked what he was going to do next, Terry said: “I am going to take a well deserved rest, I think is the best way of describing it.

“Maybe people from other Rotary clubs will see what I have done and do something similar in their own towns.”