Special Guest at 25th Camp Qulity Anniversary

Media Release
13 October 2010

Camp Quality International Founder Special Guest at 25th Anniversary Dinner in New Zealand

Twenty five years after helping to establish the organisation in this country, Vera Entwistle is returning to be the special guest at a dinner in Christchurch on Saturday, marking the 25th Anniversary of Camp Quality New Zealand.

Camp Quality is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing fun, hope and happiness to children living with cancer. It provides week-long summer camps for youngsters aged 5-16, as well as year long support for the children and their families.

Born in England, Vera and husband Brian immigrated to Australia in 1983 after spending a few years in the USA, and within a month was well on the way to setting up Camp Quality in Australia. A year later Vera was invited to Auckland to help establish a sister club in New Zealand. Since then, Vera has taken Camp Quality to 17 countries worldwide as the founder of Camp Quality International and was the CEO of Camp Quality Australia until 2000.

The first New Zealand camp was held in West Auckland in January 1985 and attracted 22 youngsters from throughout New Zealand. Now more than 300 youngsters attend one of five regional summer camps nationwide with more than 700 volunteers, helping to make the camps a safe and fun environment.

Other guests at the 25th Anniversary Dinner include Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Labour, representatives of The Cancer Society of New Zealand, Child Cancer, Canteen, some of the original 1985 Lions Club members, Camp Quality sponsors, Board and Regional representatives and Camp Quality Ambassadors Stacey Jones, and Dallas and Julie Seymour.

“We are delighted to have Vera and Brian join us for what will be a very special occasion for everyone involved with our organisation,” says Jim Grierson, Chairman of Camp Quality NZ. The 2010 Annual Meeting of Camp Quality New Zealand Inc. will be held in Christchurch on Friday.

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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