Camp Simcha’s B’nei Mitzvah programme got off to a colourful start, when some 130 Year 7 and 8 pupils enjoyed graffiti activities at launch events in London and Manchester.

Eighty boys and girls were at the inaugural evening in Golders Green, while nearly 50 girls went along to the opening of the Camp Simcha Bas Mitzvah scheme at Stenecourt Synagogue in Manchester.

Camp Simcha supports families who have a seriously ill child, and the eight-month London B’nei Mitzvah programme includes the annual Toy Drive packing activity, sending over 10,000 toys and gifts to children in hospital, culminating in an eight-mile sponsored walk, delivering Camp Simcha teddies and goody bags to two London hospitals.

In Manchester, the participants will take part in pre-Chanukah wrapping of gifts donated from Camp Simcha’s toy drive, will wrap Purim mishloach manot and join a sponsored walk to the Royal Manchester Hospital, where they will deliver presents.

The charity’s chief executive Daniel Gillis said: “We have had an amazing response to the programme in both London and Manchester this year, and seeing the energy and enthusiasm amongst the participants was testament to this.

“The initiative is not just about fundraising but building friendships and creating lasting memories throughout the programme and empowering the next generation to make a real difference.”

The Manchester group listened to Chani Rosenberg who spoke about her role as a Camp Simcha “big sister”, which entails being “an ambassador of fun” for a child who is supported by Camp Simcha, and their siblings. Chani also revealed how her family had benefited from support from the charity when her brother had been ill.

In London, the cohort heard from a graduate of the Camp Simcha B’nei Mitzvah programme and how she was now joining the Young Ambassador’s initiative, where she would continue to raise awareness and help connect families with the support provided by Camp Simcha.

In London, participants of Camp Simcha's B'nei Mitzvh programme, enjoyed some graffiti spray-painting (Photo: Camp Simcha)

Noah Keene, 12 , from Edgware, who joined the launch event in Golders Green, said: “The evening was so much fun and I’m really happy to learn more about Camp Simcha and to be able to make a difference to seriously ill children and their families.

"I’m now looking forward to helping with the activities, especially the Toy Drive packing as I always used to take a toy into primary school to put in the Camp Simcha boxes. Now I can see how the gifts get to the children in hospitals.”

The launch events wrapped up with creative activities. In London, the children took part in graffiti spray-painting, and in Manchester, they made canvases with the words Modeh Ani, a prayer which is recited first thing in the morning. They thought about things they were grateful for and some of the challenges Camp Simcha children may face.

Camp Simcha annually supports over 1,500 family members throughout the UK, coping with over 50 different serious childhood medical conditions.

If you would like to become a part of Camp Simcha’s B’nei Mitzvah programme, you can sign up here at any time. 

Alternatively, If you are interested to learn more then please email bneimitzvah@campsimcha.org.uk