Lack of help threatens children's trip to camp (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Lack of help threatens children's trip to camp

DISADVANTAGED Gloucestershire children will miss out on a holiday unless Cotswold people answer an urgent call for young volunteers.

GlosAid Youth Action, which was founded in 1967, will have to cancel a camp for 140 children unless new helpers aged between 16 and 24 step forward.

Recruitment officer Michelle Sherman, aged 18, said that although the charity had raised enough funds to cover the cost of the planned holiday in Leicestershire the threat of cancellation loomed large.

"If we cannot find the volunteers we may have no option but to cancel camp. Nominations of children for the camp are running thick and fast and the disappointment of a cancelled camp would be huge.

"It would be such a waste to let this project collapse, disappointing its members, supporters and, most of all, the children and the communities it helps so much.

"This is the only holiday most of these children will have and we wanted them to remember it for the rest of their lives.

"The holiday provides a much-needed break for the children and their families and it gives them the chance to experience new activities and make new and long-lasting friendships."

Volunteering for the charity provides a starting point and training opportunities for young people who may wish to work with children in later life.

"As well as providing useful experience for CVs and university application forms, the camps can also be used as the residential section of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and the hours can count towards the Millennium Volunteers Certificate of Excellence.

"Best of all, camp is so much fun and you really feel like you are making a difference to the lives of these children, even if it is only for one week," said Michelle.

Transport, food and accommodation costs are all covered and training weekends are also offered. For more information or to make a donation, call 01452 304227 or email glosaid@callnetuk.com.