After the severe earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale hit China's Wenchuan County, the Chinese Consulate General in Manchester has been mobilized at once to raise money and relief materials under Consular General Gong Jianzhong.

The Chinese Consulate General contacted Shelter Box, a British charity organization. Its chief Tom Henderson drove for 6 hours to Manchester from south west of England to have in-depth discussion with Consul General Gong Jianzhong. He introduced in detail the origin and past experience of Shelter Box and focused on the role of "shelter box" (with tents and daily necessities inside). He said that it would donate additional 400 "shelter boxes" in addition to the 400 that had already been donated as well as 1850 brand new tents. When the Consulate General heard that "Shelter Box" was unable to cover international freight because of financial difficulty, it contacted Air China immediately. Air China exempted freight of the 400 "shelter boxes".

By now the 2650 tents (800 "shelter boxes" and 1850 family tents) donated by "Shelter Box" have been sent to China, some of which have reached the people in the disaster areas. In addition, Chen Xia, a Chinese national who lives in Britain has donated 40 tents and 50 sleeping bags, which have been delivered by Air China Manchester office free of charge to the disaster areas. There relief materials are of special significance to the people who have suffered from the earthquakes. The tents that are put up among the rubbles can shelter tens of thousands of people.