Arthritis camp: excitement building for over 30 children!

Media Release

27 February 2014

Arthritis camp: excitement building for over 30 children!

This weekend, more than 30 children and their caregivers will travel to the Arthritis New Zealand camp for children with arthritis at the beautiful Totara Springs Camp near Matamata. The children who are attending this year’s camp have been recently diagnosed with arthritis. They will meet other children who are living with arthritis, ask questions, and challenge themselves on new activities.

Finding out you have arthritis doesn’t need to hold you back and they will enjoy activities like abseiling, flying fox, archery, raft building, kayaking and then the fun of the warm water hydroslide. After all that there is time to soak in the hot pool and relax tired bodies.

It is important that the parents and caregivers get to meet other adults caring for children with arthritis. For while the camp is primarily for the children, many of the adults will never have met anyone else who has a child with arthritis.

Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby said this is an important annual event. “This year the timing is particularly significant with Children’s Day falling onSunday 2 March. What better way to celebrate Children’s Day than having a camp for children living with arthritis?”

“Many people have the impression that arthritis is something that old people get. But arthritis can strike anyone at any age, and there are 1,000 children in New Zealand who are living with arthritis. Our camp will enable them to meet other children with arthritis, and give them the opportunity to learn more about managing their condition, in a fun, safe and supportive environment.”

“But none of this would be possible without donations and the support of businesses. In particular, the Warehouse stores in Region 4. So we are grateful to everybody whose contributions have made this possible,” Ms Kirby concluded.

Arthritis New Zealand is the national organisation focussed on raising awareness of the more than 140 different forms of arthritis, advocating for those with the condition, and providing advice and support.

ends

© Scoop Media