Project Summary

We are seeking donations to fund a one week residential holiday for up to 30 children aged between 7 to 17 years who are living with sickle cell disease across the UK.  The week is divided into various indoor and outdoor activities.  Indoor activities include bowling, table tennis, swimming, disco night, drama, talent contest, quiz show.  The arts and crafts sesstion include tie-dye, glass painting and making key rings. Information educational sessions are provided on sickle cell disease including healthy eating and relaxation techniques which help prevent a sickle cell crisis.  Outdoor activities include light sports and day trips to museums, theme parks, safari parks and farms.

Children with sickle cell disease need extra support and care due to the complex nature of the condition. An immense psychological burden is associated with a chronic long term illness, manifesting as painful episodes that may be life threatening and are very unpredictable.  As such, unvoiced fears, stress, anxiety, isolation and low levels of confidence and self esteem all have an impact on children’s mental health and physical well-being. 

What the project will achieve:

Children with Sickle Cell Disease will:

• Build self-confidence, self-esteem and reduce social isolation;
• Meet other children who have the same condition, enabling them to provide mutual peer to peer support, share and learn from their personal experiences;
• Learn about Sickle Cell Disease so they can manage their condition better which will help them to stay healthy. This, in turn:
• reduces the number of school days missed, improving educational achievement;
• leads to better quality of life and longer life expectancy;
• Take part in wide range of activities which will allow them to learn new skills and develop new interests;
• Build independence by spending time away from their families;
• Become able to communicate more effectively with their parents/carers, healthcare professionals, teachers, etc. and are more able to break down the stigma and misconceptions surrounding sickle cell disease.

Parents/carers of children with Sickle Cell Disease will:

• Have an opportunity to rest and recharge, with their child away on the holiday;
• Benefit from their child becoming more confident, independent and able to communicate more effectively with them as well as with healthcare and teaching professionals;
• See the range of physical and social activities that their child can safely participate in and encourage them to continue that participation when they return from the holiday.

Feedback from August 2014 Holiday 

The Children’s Holiday in 2014 was attended by 26 children with sickle cell disease. 81.8% reported increased confidence, 95.5% made new friends and 95% of children enjoyed the different activities and 100% improved skills in managing their condition better.  77.3% feel happier and 86.4% said they feel healthier after the holiday.

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You can also donate with your mobile phone, just text CHFD48 £3 and send to 70070.

Please remember to tick the Gift Aid option if you are a UK tax payer to make your donation go further!

Thank you for your support.

The Sickle Cell Society