AU – HeartKids Family Camp, Orange

On the 13th – 15th November 2015 HEARTKIDS NSW hosted a Regional Family Camp at Lake Burrendong.

Heart disease affects 8 babies in Australia each day, is the biggest killer of children under 1 year of age and every week four precious lives are lost due to heart disease. Heart Kids are dedicated to providing support, encouragement and hope to families of children with heart disease, while raising awareness and vital funding into the causes of this chronic disease. They achieve this through their work in support, awareness, research and advocacy, running activities like family camps for families affected by childhood heart disease and assisting families with travel and accommodation needs, and in-hospital support. They run information seminar events, providing practical advice from experts for families affected by Childhood Heart Disease.

Heart Kids, with the support of its sponsors and donors, is proud to have committed over $2,000,000 of funding for research projects looking to unlock the mysteries of Childhood Heart Disease. The Heart Kids Regional Family Camp is a weekend away for affected children and their families. They fill their days with activities such as abseiling, climbing, nature walks, canoeing, archery, fishing and water games along with many more.

The RRT Serving the burger and chips to the children and families at the Regional Family Camp for Heart Kids

On Saturday 14th of November, Orange RRT went out to the camp to cook meals for the 18 families from Canberra, Griffith, Mudgee, Newcastle, Yass, Sydney and the Central West. On arrival it started to rain. The RRT shelter proved to be water proof, but the area was still getting washed out. The management of Lake Burrendong offered RRT a hall, with a commercial kitchen and facilities that the RRT volunteers could use. So the team got together and packed everything up and moved to the dry facilities.

The Team Serving up the dinner

They prepared and served the meal to the families. After serving more than 60 hamburgers, 40 sausages in bread rolls and 9kg of hot chips with cans of drink and juice poppers. The team of 11 volunteers cleaned up and were heading back home by 7:30pm. A very good day enjoyed by all, with some great feedback.

The RRT Chat with families of the kids affected with a CHD (Childhood Heart Disease)