Happy campers: Barretstown children's charity welcomes its 21,000th visitor

THE BARRETSTOWN children’s charity, which offers support to children affected by a serious illness and their families, welcomed its 21,000th “camper” at a special ceremony in the Mansion House in Dublin yesterday afternoon.

Guests – including Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald, Lord Mayor of Dublin Andrew Montague and former campers at Barretstown – were all on hand to mark the occasion.

The charity was set up in 1994 to allow children and parents to attend weekend and week-long camps and experience a programme of therapeutic recreation aimed at rebuilding their confidence, trust and self-esteem through a “fun, activity-based process of challenge, success, reflection and discovery”.

As part of its new campaign, Barretstown is asking people to “Like” its Facebook page so that the number of supporters it has on the social network will match the number of campers who have passed through its doors.

Domino’s Pizza says it will donate €1 for every new “Like” its Facebook page it gets.

“We are very proud to celebrate reaching 21,000 campers at Barretstown this year,” the charity’s chief executive, Dee Ahearn, said.

“Over the past 17 years, Barretstown has welcomed so many children affected by serious illness and their families, and we look forward to welcoming the next 21,000 campers.”

Mr Montague said childhood cancer affects so many families nationwide”.

Organisations such as Barretstown provided a “much- needed network of support.

Andrew Hogg of Domino’s said it was an “an absolute privilege for us to work within the Barretstown camp. The staff are true legends and we hope to continue to raise funds through the ‘Like’ campaign on Facebook”.