Supported by Skinny Sams

Over The Wall is a national charity providing residential American style summer activity camps for young people affected by a variety of serious illnesses such as cancer, blood disorders, cardiac and renal disorders.

Diagnosis of a serious illness is often the start of years of painful and life changing treatments. Children frequently lose large chunks of their childhood which can lower their confidence and self esteem by being isolated in hospital with only family and medical staff for company. Following treatment children can find it difficult to return to mainstream school especially if they have visual signs of treatment such as scars, bald heads and weight gain.

At camp they can relax and enjoy themselves as everyone there have similar issues, no one judges them, which means they are accepted as part of the crowd – something that is vitally important in childhood.

Camp gives young people aged 8 – 17 the opportunity to have a week of fun by trying new challenges and making new and lasting friendships. Activities range from climbing, archery, kayaking to arts, crafts, discos and drama. Importantly they are able to just be children rather than sick children.

We provide a mixture of staff and volunteers on a one adult to one child ratio to ensure each child receives individual attention and encouragement. There is also a fully trained medical team on call 24/7 which reassures both parents and campers.

The camp is totally free of charge to parents, which includes all activities, travel to and from camp, food and accommodation. This is an important factor as frequently one parent has stopped work to look after the sick child and the family can be finding it a struggle to make ends meet.

We currently run camps during the Easter and summer school holidays in Dorset and Scotland, with plans to open another in the Midlands for summer 2008. Children come from all over the UK, choosing the camp which best suits their needs.

The cost of camps to Over The Wall is approximately £1000 per child which is raised through trusts, companies, events and individual donations.

This year we will host nearly 400 children at camp and hope to double that number next year.

If you would like more details about Over The Wall or would like to help us by holding a fundraising event please contact Nikki Radcliffe on 01420 81942 or via email nikki@otw.org.uk

Skinny Sams

Skinny Sams are proud to announce their alliance with Over The Wall a charity providing residential camps for children and young people affected by cancer and other serious illnesses.

Skinny Sams, the Home of Children’s Tights was launched in October 2006.

At www.skinnysams.com we offer the largest range of tights on the market for girls aged 3 months to 16 years.

Read more about Skinny Sams on the site, and plus a chance to WIN tights from Skinny Sams in our cute toddler competition.

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