Donations needed to bring ‘Old School’ magic and mischief to seriously-ill children this summer

Credit: Over The Wall Camp

Ockbrook-based children’s charity Over The Wall Camp is appealing to the local community for vital donations to ensure children and young people living with serious illnesses and disabilities can experience the magic and mischief of a life-changing residential camp this summer.

The national charity is transforming its new forever home at the former Ockbrook School in Derbyshire, ready to welcome children, siblings and families this August and September.

With community donations, Over The Wall Camp can provide its medically-safe camps where young people can enjoy ‘Old School’ fun, make friends, and build their self-confidence and independence.

Over The Wall Camp Chief Executive, Kevin Mathieson, explained the charity “had the site and the plans, and now needs the community’s support.”

“From 31st July, we’ll be welcoming hundreds of children and young people for the first time to our new home in Ockbrook. These are children aged 8 to 17 who’ve received treatment for big health challenges like cancer, leukaemia, heart conditions, having an organ transplant, epilepsy, and many other serious medical conditions.

“These children often spend weeks or months in hospital, too unwell to go to school. As a result, they feel lonely and isolated, and are simply unable to have a ‘normal’ carefree childhood.

“Here at Over The Wall Camp, they can finally enjoy freedom, fun and adventure. Our Ockbrook camps are where they can meet new friends and create lifelong memories. We can only do this with donations, large and small, towards our work.”

For Tobi, who was born with Sickle Cell Disease and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, camp was a truly life-changing experience.

Sickle Cell Disease causes unusually shaped red blood cells, causing symptoms such as anaemia, damage to other organs such as the lungs and spleen, vulnerability to infection, and severe pain. Life for Tobi and his family has always been centred around hospital visits and specialist care.

When Tobi was just 10 years old, his health declined drastically. He developed an infection, had a stroke, and suffered a heart attack. He was intubated in the ICU for almost a week, and no one knew what the impact of the stroke would be. A bone marrow transplant followed, but every day remains a challenge.

In 2023, Tobi and his family went to an Over The Wall Camp Family Camp. It was the first opportunity for the five of them to be together as a family on holiday, and for Tobi’s mum, Cordelia, the chance to have some respite and meet other families who understood the impact of having children living with long-term serious illness.

The following year, Tobi and his twin sister, who also has Sickle Cell Disease, attended a week-long residential together.

Tobi said: “It was the best experience of our lives. We made new friends who we still keep in touch with, and we are a happier family after attending camp.”

Donations to Over The Wall Camp will help other seriously ill children like Tobi play, grow, and thrive.

Donations can be made online at www.otw.org.uk/capital-appeal-2026 or by calling 01332 977589.