Helping children deal with cancer

Jim Morahan

That's where Barrettstown Camp comes in.

The brainchild of Hollywood actor Paul Newman, it is a unique haven of hope and help for 1,500 seriously ill youngsters every year.

Children from 7 to 17 come from 22 countries. Most share a common link: they either have or had cancer. "We provide programmes of therapeutic recreation," explained Barrettstown development director Gabrielle Murphy.

"They come down to stay with us for 10 days. We put them through a programme of activities horse riding canoeing, art and the programme is therapeutically designed to help them deal with some of the trauma of serious illness."

About 75%, of the children going to Barrettstown will survive the cancer. "When they come we don't know which is which," said Gabrielle. "We make sure we equip them with the skills to recover physically and emotionally from the trauma of the illness.

"Children with serious illness have all sorts of problems over and above the illness they are trying to recover from. Our programme treats the child; it helps treat the emotional impact of being seriously ill. "We're about helping the children to build their self-confidence and esteem.

"We have to raise 4.3 million a year to run the programmes. None of the children pay. We raise the money through donations from the public and through sponsorship from companies."

Hollywood actress Alison Doody will grace this year's major fundraiser the Barrettstown Gala, in the grounds of the Co Kildare castle, on October 1.

Around 450 guests will each pay 500 for the privilege and two art works donated by Graham Knuttel and Rasher will be auctioned.