News Article

GIVING SOMETHING PRICELESS

 

Imagine you are a child affected by a serious illness.  In and out of hospital, away from school and home, you may have missed out on usual childhood experiences and lack confidence with other children. 

 

Over The Wall, a national charity registered in 1999, sets out to give seriously ill children (aged 8-17) some fun, friendship and a sense of fulfilment by inviting them to its unique residential camps.

 

Here the children don’t have to explain bald heads, scars, eye patches, crutches, weight gain or other unwanted effects of taking lots of medication.  Instead the ‘campers’ are able to make friends and have fun with other children just like them.  And they are given something priceless: a chance to fit in.

 

In July, I spent a week as a volunteer at an Over The Wall camp at Cleobury Mortimer on the edge of the Wyre Forest.

 

Supported by a paediatric nurse, I was one of five volunteers looking after five girls aged 14-17 with various serious health issues such as brain tumours, cancer and epilepsy.

 

Despite their physical problems, the girls were able to join the other campers and enjoy activities which ranged from abseiling and archery to drama and even tackling an assault course.

                                                                                         

Their courage and perseverance were inspirational. The word ‘can’t’ didn’t come into their vocabulary.

 

The week-long camps are free of charge to all children, although it costs Over The Wall £1,000 per child.  On top of the funding, the charity needs one volunteer for every camper.

 

I had an amazing time and will definitely be volunteering again, it was a challenging week, both physically and emotionally.

 

Thank you to BDF for giving me the week off work and also for donating NIVEA Sun samples for use at all the Over The Wall camps this summer.

 

Melodie Williams