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.

Chief executive Jenny Winter said: “The Barretstown Gala is the highlight of our 10th anniversary celebrations and we are thrilled that Paul Newman and our many friends and supporters, old and new, will be joining us to share some of Barretstown’s magic.”

Mr Newman provided an initial IR£2 million to help open Barretstown, but the running costs now come from charitable donations and, according to Ms Winter, more money is needed.

“We are looking for longer-term sponsorship and funding options,” she said. “We are totally dependent on voluntary donations and this year we are trying to make people aware of the seriousness of what we do.”

With up to 23,000 new cases of childhood cancers diagnosed in Europe - 120 cases in Ireland - every year, the chief executive is keenly aware of the need for places like Barretstown. “At the moment, we only serve a tiny percentage of children and there are a lot more children who could benefit from our camps.”

Barretstown has helped 10,000 children and families from Ireland and all over Europe since Paul Newman set up the camp. There are now other camps in France, Britain and Hungary.

Through its fun activities, Barretstown’s programme aims to give back to these children some of the confidence and self-esteem they have lost during their gruelling medical treatment.

Children served at The Barretstown Gang Camp are diagnosed with various forms of cancer and serious blood diseases - not exclusively “terminal” illness (an expression never used at Barretstown) but a wide range of diseases which profoundly impact on children’s lives.

Children diagnosed with cancer now often face a lifetime of coping with uncertain survival whereas 10 years ago, the majority of them had a relatively brief time in which to adapt to the notion of dying.

“Survivorship is what it’s all about now with up to 80% of children successfully coming through treatment for these illnesses,” says Terry Dignan, programme director at Barretstown.