Inmates peg it!

 Inmates at Castle Huntley Open Estate, Dundee are taking part in the Charitable Tent Exchange.

The nationwide scheme allows people to bring their old or unused tents to Millets stores across the UK and donate them to World Emergency Relief UK (WER).  The tents will be used to provide shelter to vulnerable people across the world.

The Charitable Tent Exchange has been running since June with Millets stores across the UK taking part.  Already over 500 usable tents have been collected with many more expected over the coming months.

Fundamental to the success of the scheme has been the involvement of Castle Huntley Open Estate, Dundee.  Inmates at the prison are checking the suitability of the tents and carrying out minor repairs.

The tents will be shipped to some of the remotest regions of the world and will be used to provide shelter in weather conditions far more severe than a typical holiday camping trip.   The tents donated by Millets customers may experience blistering heat, severe wind, torrential rain and even snow.

All manner of tents have been donated from modern tunnel tents to enormous canvas and pole designs dating from the 1970s. With such a variety of tents it is very important that they are all properly checked, parts replaced and repairs made where necessary.  Castle Huntley Open Estate inmates will be carrying out these checks before the tents are shipped. 

The tents are delivered to Castle Huntley in large batches.  The inmates then erect each tent, checking that there are sufficient pegs, that the guy-ropes and stitching are robust and repairing any small tears.  The tents are collected and shipped to people in need across the world. 

WER's partner Glasgow the Caring City (GtCC) has been central to the success of the scheme, providing logistical support and resources to enable the involvement of the inmates at Castle Huntly.