Camp Simcha legacy drive gets grandparents’ backing
GRANDPARENTS OF children supported by Camp Simcha are sharing their stories as part of a Jewish Legacy Awareness Month campaign.
Head of fundraising Shoshana Copeland said Camp Simcha’s first big legacy drive would be “an important step in helping to secure the charity’s longterm future.
“With no government funding, Camp Simcha is entirely reliant on the support of the community. In this year alone, we have seen a 55 per cent increase in referrals.
“The income from legacies can help us to ensure Camp Simcha will continue to be there supporting every family that needs us.”
Essex couple Leah and Barry Shamplin’s grandson, Sonny Nygate, and family were supported by Camp Simcha after Sonny was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma ten years ago (he went into remission after treatment).
“You have to not just see your grandchild unwell; you have to see the effect it has on your children and your other grandchildren,” Mrs Shamplin recalled. “You try to take the pain away but you can’t.”
Mancunian Gloria Levene, whose grandson Joey has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, said that if she could sum up what Camp Simcha meant to her, “it was like being wrapped in a big duvet of love. I remember when Joey had to go for an infusion and was very frightened. I don’t know how Camp Simcha found out but his ‘Big Brother’ volunteer turned up at the hospital — it was before Covid — to see him and to bring him a balloon and other things. I don’t how they knew but they were there and it was wonderful.”
Mr Shamplin said that with many more children likely to need Camp Simcha’s services, legacies were vital.
His wife added: “When the time comes, Barry and I will be revising our wills. We won’t forget Camp Simcha because Camp Simcha never forgot us.”