Waves of support for seriously ill children

THE SPIRIT of giving is thriving among the younger generation of Camp Simcha supporters. Whether it is sponsored events, Camp Simcha’s Share Your Simcha initiative, the B’nei Mitzvah Digital Detox challenge or their own independent activities, young people are constantly stepping up to raise funds to support the charity’s work helping seriously ill children and their families.

“We are so grateful for the support we get from all generations in the community, but it is particularly gratifying to see children having an awareness of those less fortunate than themselves at such a young age,” says Neville Goldschneider, Camp Simcha’s chief executive. One example is 13-year-old Asher Nagler (pictured), who last summer set himself a tough pre-barmitzvah fundraising challenge with a deconstructed triathlon. Feeling blessed to be celebrating his barmitzvah in good health, Asher chose to share his simchah by completing three separate challenges, raising £1,000 to help fund Camp Simcha’s practical, emotional and therapeutic support services for all the family.

Asher began in June with the Maccabi GB 5km fun run, followed by a 1.2km cycle ride on wet grass during the St Albans duathlon in September and a one-hour swim of 1,440m in October.

A pupil at Haberdashers’ Aske’s School, Asher believed it was important to do something for charity to tie in with his barmitzvah. “I felt I couldn’t have a big simchah and not think about others who were having a less good time,” he says. “I really enjoyed all the challenges and I had a real sense of achievement when I completed them all and raised the money. I heard about Camp Simcha when I was at primary school at Sacks Morasha. I was really inspired by the work they do for children who are seriously ill so that’s why I chose them.”

Alfie Bladon, age ten, and his sister Mia, nine, know exactly how important Camp Simcha’s support is to families. In December they headed a new campaign to raise funds for Camp Simcha’s respite care provision — the Evie’s Night Owls service, established in memory of their little sister, Evie. Evie was born in 2012, but oxygen deprivation during her birth resulted in severe brain damage and doctors did not expect her to survive past 48 hours. She lived to the age of three, but the 24-hour care she needed put an enormous strain on her parents, Sam and Lee, and in turn Alfie and Mia. Evie’s Night In is Alfie and Mia’s fundraising initiative, which invites children and adults to have a night in to raise money for Camp Simcha’s Evie’s Night Owls service.

Alfie explains: “It can be a dinner party, quiz night, poker night for parents or a sleepover or movie night for the kids … anything is fine. You just invite some friends and ask them not to bring you a gift but instead to donate on the night to help someone else. Camp Simcha has made special packs, which will give you party bags, stickers and a collection box. We are asking everyone to take a picture of their night and post it on social media.”

Sam Bladon says respite support makes a world of difference: “Our hope is that we can raise enough funds for Evie’s Night Owls to become an ongoing service through Camp Simcha, so that all families like us, who need respite but aren’t eligible for it, can get this regular support from carers that they come to know and trust.”

For more information on Share Your Simcha or Evie’s Night In – or other ways you can support Camp Simcha, go to campsimcha.org.uk

If you know someone who could benefit from Camp Simcha’s support, please get in touch in the strictest confidence on 020 8202 9297 or email Neville Goldschneider ng@campsimcha.org.uk Registered charity 1044685