THE charity for sick children is called Challenge, and that’s the only word to describe the past three years for many families.
But the Cohuna community has opened its arms to resume its rural Cohuna camp for sick children, held at Tree Tops for the first time since 2019.
The camp allows sick children and their families to spend a night learning fun new skills in rural Victoria.
“After two years of not being able to run it for the kids, to get back up here finally was great,” camp organiser Brooke Southern said.
“There was something for everybody – crafts, dirt bike riding, horse riding and fishing – each kid had the opportunity to do an activity they enjoyed.
“It gives the families a bit of time to themselves, but also it allows the kids to get out and about in a safe environment surrounded by other kids who come from a similar background.”
The camp is made possible thanks to an annual fundraising event – known as A Night to Remember – organised by Ms Southern each year, where all funds raised go towards the running of this camp.
A Night to Remember is held in memory of three local children – Thomas, Hayden and Ms Southern’s sister, Rebecca.
This is the sixth time the camp has been held, and the positive effect it has on not just the kids but the families also cannot be understated, according to Challenge volunteer Tom Pirelli.
“It means a great deal because most of the kids we’ve taken have been recently diagnosed, and we haven’t been able to get into the hospitals in that period,” he said.
Ms Southern said the coronavirus pandemic had impacted not just the sick children, but their families.
“Obviously, these last couple of years we’ve all been locked up but even more so for these kids, especially the siblings,” she said.
“At one stage in the Royal Children’s Hospital, if parents came in, they weren’t allowed to go back out again, and siblings weren’t allowed in at all, so it’s been extremely tough for entire families.”
Mr Pirelli was thankful of all the support from volunteers in the Cohuna community who helped to make the weekend memorable for all involved.
“The families are extremely appreciative, and they recognise, especially in smaller rural towns, that money has been tight and for them to be generous enough to put something on like this doesn’t go unnoticed,” he said.
“We, at Challenge, really appreciate it also.
“To come out on a weekend when everybody else has their own things on, but they prioritise these kids and let these families have a night off is incredible.
“It allows the kids to be having fun whilst not feeling homesick because of all the activities there doing which wouldn’t be conducted without the help of the community.”
Ms Southern agreed, saying “it took a lot of people to get it off the ground and we’re really grateful for that”.
“I must thank everyone in the community for their continued support, especially businesses and people who come out on the day to help,” she said.
Challenge is a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families living with cancer.
Their support is free and immediate, helping to “lighten the cancer journey” by addressing the practical, social, and emotional needs of all our members.
