Two Northeast children facing life-limiting illness will have the opportunity to attend a specialist activity camp thanks to the support of Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation.
The global asset manager’s £3,600 donation will cover all staffing and medical costs for the children from Aberdeenshire to attend the camp in Perthshire run by charity Over The Wall – the only operator of free therapeutic-recreation activity camps in Scotland.
Over The Wall’s week-long camps are designed to provide a fun and adventurous experience for children with complex medical needs, while also building confidence in participants and awareness of their own abilities and potential. During the structured programme children develop self-esteem and coping strategies, and to develop new friendships and support networks.
The charity’s programmes – which can cater for children living with a range of over 160 life-limiting illnesses – run across Scotland and have helped hundred of children since Over The Wall was founded in 1999. One such child is Sarah who, having been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of three, underwent a two-year period of cancer treatment which was further complicated by a major bleed to the superior vein to her heart.
Despite being discharged from hospital on the Tuesday before camp, she managed to be there on Friday ready to have fun. Her mum, Karen, says, “After going through such a horrific experience I knew that camp was more important than ever. So, we all decided she was going to do it. I had seen how dedicated and professional the medical volunteers at camp were, and the high standard of medical attention the campers received, so I felt confident she could still go.”
"We consulted the oncologist, and several other doctors, who all approved. In fact, one doctor had actually been a camp volunteer before, and agreed it was exactly what she needed! It was then that we all knew it was the right decision.”
Alongside camps for children with life-limiting illnesses, Over The Wall also runs week-long camps for siblings and weekend camps for whole families. Sarah’s brother and sister, Daniel and Hannah, have also benefitted from the charity’s expertise.
Karen explains, “The disruption to Daniel and Hannah’s life has also been huge. For six weeks we moved from our home to be near the hospital and the children were ferried to and from school from a CLIC Sargent house. It has been very hard for them. But camp was such a wonderful experience for them both and they even stay in touch with the other siblings that they met there.
“Over The Wall brings the whole family together and takes the illness away. Whilst we are at camp, we forget about it all. Camp has given us so many wonderful memories and you can’t take them away - they last forever.”
Julie Foster, trusts officer for Over The Wall, says, “We are extremely grateful for the donation from the Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation which will allow two children from Aberdeenshire to attend our camp in Perthshire. Attending camp helps the children feel less socially isolated, and related studies have shown a very clear link between this and increased resilience to illness. The friendships built at and after camp allow the children to simply be children, rather than to be defined by their illness. New relationships built at camp can also become vital support networks for both the children, and their parents, once they return home.”
Claire Drummond, head of charitable giving for Aberdeen Standard Investments, adds, “Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation is dedicated to supporting charities which positively affect the lives of people living in the areas in which we work. We are delighted to be able to support the excellent work being carried out by Over The Wall as they provide much-needed support and relief for children in need.”
Aberdeen Standard Investments Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact. It encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects. For more information visit http://aboutus.aberdeen-asset.com/en/aboutus/responsible-business/aberdeen-charitable
For more information about Over The Wall, visit www.otw.org.uk
Claire Drummond of Aberdeen Standard Investments