Kangaroo Point local Valerie Simons has been recognised nationally for her fundraising efforts supporting families left without homes following disasters and conflict.
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Ms Simons has been named ShelterBox Australia’s Fundraiser of the Year, after raising more than $21,000 for the international disaster relief charity.
Ms Simons began volunteering with ShelterBox Australia at the start of 2025 and received the charity’s Rising Star Award during her first year. Her fundraising efforts have included presentations to Rotary Clubs, community events, and a sponsored trek along Western Australia’s Cape-to-Cape trek.
From volunteer to award winner
A keen photographer and Belgian native, Ms Simons recently stepped into the role of President of the Rotary Club of Paddington.
ShelterBox Australia is part of the global ShelterBox network, which specialises in emergency shelter for families who have lost their homes through disaster or conflict. Ms Simons said living in Australia had made her feel particularly fortunate compared with people in countries frequently affected by disasters or conflict.
“I feel really, really lucky and blessed that we’re in a country where we don’t suffer disasters like earthquakes and floods constantly,” she said.
“We do have some issues here obviously but not on the scale of countries like Venezuela or the Philippines that are hit all the time and we’re also a country that doesn’t suffer conflict so we’re very, very blessed.”
Ms Simons said she felt a responsibility to support people facing difficult circumstances elsewhere.
“I feel like it’s kind of my duty here being in Australia to be able to support other people because I’m very lucky to be here and there is so much need in the world.”
Supporting families after disaster
ShelterBox was founded by a Rotary Club, with Rotary members and clubs continuing to support the organisation through fundraising, raising awareness, sharing local expertise and providing practical assistance during disaster responses.
ShelterBox says it has supported more than three million people in around 100 countries, responding to major earthquakes, conflicts, tropical storms, droughts and floods.
Funds raised by volunteers help provide families left with nowhere to live after a disaster with practical essentials including tents, shelter kits, mosquito nets, blankets, solar lights, kitchen sets and water filters.
Ms Simons said her experiences living in different countries and travelling around the world had given her first-hand exposure to some of the issues faced by people elsewhere.
“Being a citizen of the world, as I always call myself because I have lived in some different countries and I have travelled a lot around the world, I have seen first-hand some of the issues,” she said.
“So, if we can bring a little bit of hope and shelter should be a human right, no one should be without shelter.”
Recognition for fundraising effort
ShelterBox Australia CEO Mike Greenslade praised Ms Simons for the passion and determination behind her fundraising.
“The Fundraiser of the Year Award recognises an individual whose passion and determination have generated outstanding support for ShelterBox,” he said.
Mr Greenslade also recalled walking with Ms Simons during the Cape-to-Cape trek, saying she exceeded her fundraising target and helped inspire others to support ShelterBox’s work.
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ShelterBox Australia said it was working with local partners and Rotary to support families displaced by earthquakes in the Philippines and Venezuela. It also said it was responding to displacement crises in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso.
Ms Simons said it was “really important that we can do what we can in the world” and that contributions to ShelterBox Australia could support families and “bring smiles on the face of children.”
Published 28-August-2026
