Living Billboard to Mark Camp Quality Anniversary

Media Release
xx August 2010

Living Billboard to Mark Camp Quality 25th Anniversary Celebrations in Dunedin

Four young Dunedin volunteers in their twenties will spend three days and nights on a stage in the Octagon next month – all in the name of charity.

From 9th to 12th September the four, along with a support crew, will create a ‘Living Billboard’ and participate in a range of challenges like begging for dinner or taking a plunge into a pool of ice, as part of an awareness and fundraising event by Camp Quality South to mark the 25th Anniversary of Camp Quality in New Zealand.

Camp Quality NZ, a not for profit, volunteer organisation, is marking its 25th year of providing week-long summer camps and year-round support to children living with cancer.

A number of events are taking place around the country to mark 25 years of Camp Quality in each region. They include a Masquerade Ball in Auckland, a Jubilee Ball in Hamilton, a Truck Show at Ruapuna Raceway near Christchurch and a 25th Anniversary Dinner in Christchurch in October.

Gail Higgs, Funding Coordinator for Camp Quality South, says the ‘Living Billboard’ idea was planned by a group of Camp Quality Companions. “It is something they wanted to do,” she says. “Rather than waiting for the next camp, they decided to create awareness of the charity.” While the purpose of the ‘Living Billboard’ is to raise the profile of Camp Quality in the South, “Any funds raised will be a wonderful bonus,” she says.

Companions are the life blood of Camp Quality. Before a summer camp, each child is assigned a trained Companion, a 24 hour buddy, who provides one-on-one support throughout the period of a camp and beyond. “These people are great, so enthusiastic and I can’t speak highly enough of them,” says Gail.

An auction will be held on the Friday night with prizes like a signed T-shirt from World Rally Champion Sebastian Loeb, a hot air balloon ride and tickets for a tour on the Taieri Excursion Train. Other entertainment ranges from a More FM team broadcasting from the Octagon, to a sausage sizzle in the early hours of Sunday for Dunedin party goers.

“Funds raised from the Living Billboard will go towards activities for youngsters attending next year’s camp in Queenstown” says Gail.

Camp Quality Chairman Jim Grierson says “Each year, at a cost of more than $550,000, and with the support of more than 750 volunteers, Camp Quality NZ delivers week-long summer camps and fun activities for children living with cancer.” He says that the goal of the camps is “to provide the campers with fun experiences, comradeship and achievable challenges, to encourage them to focus on the positive aspects of their lives.”

This year marks 25 years since organising its first summer camp in New Zealand. The Dunedin event is part of a series of events nationwide to celebrate the silver anniversary

According to Child Cancer Foundation statistics, about 150 young New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer each year. Camp Quality passionately believes in the power of fun to help these children and their families overcome the challenges of living with cancer.

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