Every Easter, Poole Hospital gratefully receives hundreds chocolate eggs from generous members of the public, but this year they are asking for coins instead.
Poole Hospital Charity and the hospital’s children’s unit and diabetes service are appealing for donors to consider a financial contribution instead of chocolate as part of the fundraising Easter Appeal, which will help fund a fun adventure camp for children with diabetes this summer.
The children’s diabetes team takes its patients to a summer camp every year and a small donation, such as how much it would cost for a chocolate egg, will help even more children to attend.
At the camp young patients can share their diabetic journeys with new friends and learn how to better manage their condition.
Kyra, a camp goer in 2018, said: “You get to meet up with people of similar ages, who face similar problems to you and have a fun summer holiday packed with exciting activities – without any worries at all.
“Honestly, diabetes camp is such an overwhelmingly incredible experience.”
With your support, children like Kyra can enjoy a week at the camp, involving themselves in activities such as canoeing, archery, mountain biking and climbing.
Beneficial trip
Sharon McCallum, the hospital’s lead paediatric diabetes specialist nurse, believes that the camp is extremely beneficial to children with diabetes.
“The biggest benefit, I think, is to meet other children with diabetes,” said Sharon, who, along with the rest of the diabetes team, took 36 children on the trip last year.
“Often children with diabetes feel different from their peers so they love the fact everyone else is just like them having to test their blood glucose and inject insulin throughout the day.
“We encourage the children to push themselves and to see whether they can accomplish physical challenges while managing their condition.
“It’s so important to actively encourage physical activity, particularly if you have type 1 diabetes, because of the risk of cardio vascular complications.”
The diabetes summer camp is being held at Calshot Activity Centre, Southampton, on 22-25 August for children in school years 4-11.
Each place costs £268 and is funded by donations to the Easter Appeal.
To donate, and to support children with diabetes in Dorset this Easter, visit the JustGiving campaign here.