Kids’ camp salutes Bondholders for ‘incredible’ support

Derby Kids’ Camp has paid tribute to Marketing Derby’s Bondholder community for their overwhelming support this summer.

During the school holidays, the charity celebrated its 51st year of providing free holidays for young children – made possible with the help of several Bondholders.

In the first instance, they turned up in force for the charity’s annual ‘Camp Build’ – answering a call for more much-needed support.

In a little over 48 hours, the site for the charity was transformed from an empty field into a fully functioning campsite.

Several Bondholders also provided staff to volunteer as camp hosts. In all, their contributions amounted to hundreds of days of volunteering.

Chris Edwards, chair of Derby Kids’ Camp, said: “We were blown away by the incredible support from the Marketing Derby Bondholder community this year.

“The energy and commitment during this year’s Camp Build was truly amazing – it’s the fastest we’ve ever seen it come together!

“And to have so many volunteers step up to help run the holidays over the summer was just fantastic.”

Every year, Derby Kids’ Camp provides free holidays to around 300 local children who need a break.

The children are nominated by their primary schools, for reasons including mental health difficulties, bereavement, living in poverty, and difficulties with social interaction.

Derby Kids’ Camp said that 2024 was the fastest Camp Build on record, with Bondholders providing support equating to 139 days of volunteering time.

To create the camp, volunteers laid flooring, ran electrics and plumbing, built marquees and children’s tents, set up dozens of beds and arranged thousands of items of children’s clothing, bedding, games, sports equipment, kitchen equipment and more.

The Camp Build was supported by volunteers from Rolls-Royce, Mortgage Advice Bureau, Alstom, L.E.A.D IT, TecInteractive, Rothera Bray, Alphageek, Alton Valley, Rodgers Leask and Derby Kids’ Camp patrons, Cosy.

But the Bondholder support didn’t stop there. Earlier in the year, the charity recruited more than 200 volunteers to staff the holidays.

Following a Marketing Derby breakfast event co-hosted with Cosy Direct, there was keen interest from the Bondholder community about getting involved.

2024 saw summer camp volunteers coming from Cosy and partners at Embark Federation, alongside volunteers from L.E.A.D IT, YMCA Derbyshire and Balls2Marketing.

Overall, 39 volunteer spaces were filled by volunteers from Bondholder organisations – the equivalent of 273 days of volunteering.

The volunteers were responsible for all aspects of the children’s holidays, including looking after the children, delivering activities, feeding the children and volunteers and more.

There was also support from Bondholder organisations who voluntary ran activities to keep the children entertained throughout the week.

Artcore ran a session for children on one of the weeks of camp, and volunteers from Cosy Direct ran a board games session each week.

Chris said: “Huge thanks to everyone who gave their time and effort, enabling Derby Kids’ Camp to give hundreds of local kids a holiday they’ll never forget. We couldn’t do it without you!”