Fundraiser for seriously-ill children soars past £3.1m target in under 32 hours

An online fundraising appeal by a charity which supports seriously ill Jewish children and their families has soared past £3.1m in 32 hours – with more than a day still to go.

All funds that are donated to Camp Simcha on Sunday and Monday (7-8 February), will be doubled by generous donors – giving the charity a chance to boost its funds over the COVID-19 pandemic, which has robbed it of the chance to raise money through usual meals, like its gala dinner.

Since the 36-hour campaign launched on Sunday, around £3.1 million was donated by people across the community – surpassing its initial goal of £2 million.

• View the fundraising campaign here:  https://charityextra.com/campsimcha

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Sadly due to COVID-19, we have had to cancel our 25^thAnniversary Biennial Fundraising Dinner, leaving the continuity of our vital services to families in peril.

“We will instead be running a 36-hour Match Funding Campaign on 7^th-8^th February, during which every donation we receive will be doubled by our generous group of match funders.”

They added: “Thank you for your support which will make a real difference to families with seriously ill children in our community.”

The charity needs to raise £2.4 million every year to provide essential services for the families. Camp Simcha, which was set up 25 years ago, supports seriously ill Jewish children and their family members across the UK.

They have reported a surge in request for services over the pandemic, highlighted with their #isolatedbutnotalone campaign.

• View the fundraising campaign here:  https://charityextra.com/campsimcha

Among other services, Family Liaison Officers working with Camp Simcha support children and their families. One worker highlighted a situation they often face – including sourcing feeding machines at short notice for children, when the one they are using breaks.

Another situation included: “One of the children we support was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Mum jumped in the ambulance with no coat, just her bag. She messaged me late that evening to let me know. Her husband was away on business and she was along so I said I insisted on coming. She said she was cold so I said I would bring her a jacket… I sat with her and waited until her child was settled with his carer and then I took her home and saw her into her house.”