FIREFIGHTERS ATTEND BURNED CHILDREN'S CAMP 2008
| Published: 18th August 2008 20:41 |
YOUNG burns survivors enjoyed a day of fun and games with firefighters at the annual ‘Camp Horizon' regional open day last Wednesday (13).
The event is now in its 12th year and is widely regarded by the young people who attend as one of the main highlights of their summer. It is organised by the Burned Children's Club and held at the Grafham Water Centre in Huntingdonshire.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has been involved for the last eight years and pledges its support by providing sponsorship, firefighters and support staff as volunteers, and also activities on the two regional and national open days.
Wendy Coleman, Community Safety Adviser for CFRS said: "It's great to see these young people in such high spirits and really enjoying themselves.
"I think the camp is so successful because it allows the young people to get strength and support from each other. We are all terribly proud to be a part of this."
Normally the activities provided by the Fire Service take the form of outdoor water sports - complete with inflatable slides and home-made flumes fuelled by water from hoses on the fire engine. The young people are also able to chat with the firefighters, climb into the fire engine and take a look at some of the high-tech equipment on board.
However, this year due to the unpredictable weather, the fun and games were brought inside, but this made no difference to the sunny dispositions of the youngsters involved.
Wendy added: "Although many have been through such a traumatic experience so early on in their lives, they constantly prove to each other that this needn't affect who they are and what they do in the future."
One young burns survivor is Alvin Archer (15), from Lolworth in Bar Hill, Cambridgeshire. He has been coming to the camp since he was eight and has made many friends.
He said: "The camp is brilliant. Sometimes when I go out, it is difficult to have people staring, but when I'm here I don't have to worry about that."
Alvin was only two years old when an oil lamp landed on him at his home. He was quickly rushed to hospital, but was badly burned and still has scars on his body.
Pat Wade, club co-ordinator, said: "Camp Horizon is the high point of the club's programme and is an activity holiday for young people aged eight to 18. "It provides them with an opportunity to take on new challenges and enjoy themselves in the company of other burns survivors.
"The camp is so successful because it gives young burns survivors and their families the opportunity to relax, have fun and share their experiences with others in a similar position. It also allows the children to meet and talk to firefighters, similar to those who rescued them when they received their burns.
"We are very grateful for the support of firefighters from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service who volunteer their time to help out with some of the activities held throughout the two weeks."
Ian Downing, Head of the Grafham Water Centre, said: "We are delighted to be hosting the burns club for the 12th year running. It is an event that we are very proud to be supporting."
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