Over The Wall sets up camp at Bryanston School in Dorset

A children’s charity dedicated to providing therapeutic camps for children with serious health challenges, is to run a series of free Dorset-based camps at Bryanston School, in Blandford Forum. Over The Wall is encouraging local families, affected by serious health challenges, to join them for the experience of a lifetime by participating in activities like archery, clay pigeon shooting, fishing, drumming circles, creative writing, climbing and kayaking.

As part of the SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman, the charity aims to provide children, teenagers and families with a welcoming, safe and fun environment that allows them to face challenges and overcome obstacles – helping them to achieve more than they ever imagined possible.

CEO of Over The Wall, Kevin Mathieson says, “We are delighted to be hosting a camp in Dorset and we encourage any children and families affected by serious health challenges to join us for what will be a memorable and life changing experience. Our camps have been proven to boost children’s confidence, improve their self-belief, enhance their resilience and most importantly, help them reach beyond the limits of their medical condition.”

Last year, the charity supported more than 600 children and families and is hoping to reach out to at least 630 this year, increasing the life-changing experiences it provides to children with a vast range of medical conditions.

These may include, cancer and leukaemia, blood disorders, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders (such as Crohn’s or liver disease), rheumatological conditions like arthritis, skin conditions such as severe eczema, multiple severe allergies, heart conditions, kidney disease, neurological disorders such as epilepsy and many more.

The recreational activity camps are medically sound environments, with highly skilled medical professionals, available 24 hours a day. Over The Wall also offers separate camps for the siblings of children with illnesses and long weekends that the whole family can attend, completely free of charge.