A camp that makes a difference

HOLLYWOOD icon Paul Newman is the guest of honour at a gala ball today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Barretstown Gang Camp, the therapeutic recreation centre near Ballymore Eustace in Co Kildare.

Founded in 1994 by the actor, Barretstown became the first Hole in the Wall Gang Camp outside the US and has grown from taking 124 children to camp to an estimated 1,000 this year.

Barretstown needs to raise €4 million each year from companies, funds and individuals to run its programmes and the Gala is one of its major annual fundraising events.