Urgent plea made for Bondholders to help with kids’ camp build

Derby Kids’ Camp has made an urgent plea to Marketing Derby Bondholders to help build a camp so hundreds of local children in need can enjoy a summer break.

The charity is looking for corporate volunteers to help prepare its ‘canvas village’ ahead of 500 children and volunteers arriving over the summer.

The charity, which is entirely volunteer-run, will provide holidays for around 320 local young children in need this year – free of charge. The breaks will be staffed by over 200 volunteers over the summer holiday period.

The children are aged eight to 11, and nominated by local primary schools for a break from the challenges they face in day-to-day life.

Over the years, the camp build has been supported by a wide range of local organisations, including Marketing Derby, Rolls-Royce, Cosy Direct, Mortgage Advice Bureau, bloc digital, Howden (formerly Aston Lark) and Alstom, alongside Derby Kids’ Camp volunteers, friends and family.

Now, the charity needs more Bondholders to step forward to help with the work.

Chris Edwards, chair of Derby Kids’ Camp, said: “This is a chance for Bondholder businesses to make a real difference to the local community and support hundreds of young children to have an incredible holiday they so desperately need.”

Before the first group of children arrive, the charity must transform an empty field into a fully-functioning canvas village – complete with marquees, children’s tents, running water, electricity, activity equipment and more.

The camp build takes place over a two-and-a-half-day period, starting from 10.15am on Thursday 25 July, through to Friday 26 July, before handing over the site to the team on the lunchtime of Saturday 27 July.

Derby Kids’ Camp is asking Bondholder organisations to lend their support by volunteering for part of the camp build.

Support is particularly needed on the two busiest days: Thursday 25 July and Friday 26 July.

There are a wide range of tasks – from the most physical or technical (building huge marquees and installing gas and electrics), to the lighter, but equally essential work (arranging the kitchen, sorting the food stores and clothes stores, or making beds).

Food and refreshments will be provided from the Thursday lunchtime through the remainder of the camp build period.

Volunteers are also welcome to camp overnight on the Thursday or Friday.

For more information and to sign up to volunteer, visit https://derbykidscamp.co.uk/summer-camp-build/ or e-mail chris@derbykidscamp.co.uk.