Supporting children, their families

Supporting children, their families and the right to have fun

The Foundation that runs the country’s seven Children’s Health Camps is urging the public to support Kiwi kids and their families when they post a letter this month, by purchasing Health Stamps.

The 45 and 95 cent stamps go on sale at New Zealand Post outlets tomorrow (Wednesday August 6) and will be on sale for one month. For every Health Stamp purchased, five cents is donated to the foundation that runs the country’s seven Children’s Health Camps.

“Since the first Children’s Health Camp opened in 1919, these camps have helped 250,000 children and their families, or around six per cent of New Zealanders,” said Chief Executive of New Zealand’s seven Health Camps, Dr Fiona Inkpen.

“Health Camps take in children referred by social service agencies for five week stays. During their time at Camp we introduce routine, build their confidence and teach them the processes and life skills which help them to lead healthy and resilient lives.”

Dr Inkpen said the camps typically helped some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and their families.

“As a targeted, evidence-based intervention the Health Camps achieve fantastic results for children and help to turn young lives around.”

The theme of this year’s Health Stamps is ‘Children at Play’ and the camps are planning on using proceeds from the sales to build and upgrade play equipment such as confidence course and climbing walls.

“Above all at camp, these children have fun. They meet new friends, build relationships and learn how to interact with adults and their peers. They come out at the end with confidence and the skills and coping mechanisms they need,” said Dr Inkpen.

Since 1929 New Zealand Post has supported the work of the Health Camps by issuing Health Stamps, making the relationship one of the country’s longest-running community partnerships.

“We are grateful for the strong and ongoing support of New Zealand Post and we urge the public of New Zealand, including businesses, to support us when they post a letter or buy a box of stamps.

“Buying a Health Stamp, or a box if you can, is supporting the work of the Health Camps, and the right for all children to be happy and healthy.”

© Scoop Media