A Derby charity is urgently seeking help from local businesses and the Derby community to build a canvas village later this week, which will house hundreds of local children over the summer.

Derby Kids’ Camp provides free, volunteer-run holidays for local children who need a break. The holidays take place in the charity’s base near Ashbourne, in a canvas village complete with marquees, kids’ tents, a fully functioning kitchen, electricity and running water.

Every year a team of volunteers comes together to build the camp over a 48-hour period, ready for the children to arrive.

Unfortunately this year, teams of corporate volunteers who were lined up to help have had to pull out at the last minute, leaving the charity struggling to get the camp ready in time for the first group of children arriving at the weekend.

Derby Kids’ Camp Chairman, Chris Edwards, said, “Our holidays help to build children’s confidence and their independence but, more importantly, the children leave with lifelong memories of an amazing and much-needed holiday.”

“Our Camp Build is kicking off at 10.30am this Thursday, but unfortunately after some last-minute drop outs we’re really struggling to find enough volunteers to get Camp ready in time. Our larger marquees in particular require around 30 people on site at once to put them up safely. These two marquees house our main hub, used for meal times and activities, and our cook tent where up to 300 meals a day are prepared.”

“Without enough help to get these tents up, Camp will simply be unable to run.”

Derby Kids’ Camp is run entirely by volunteers and provides free holidays for some of the most deserving children in the city and county who are nominated by their school; many are living in poverty or have suffered bereavement, or they may be finding social interaction difficult after the past few years and subsequent lockdowns.

Their week at Derby Kids’ Camp – where they get to take part in craft activities, cave climbing and swimming – gives them the chance to try out new activities, explore new surroundings and enjoy being a child.

Children stay in cosy tents that are equipped with comfortable camp beds, complete with bouncy mattresses and snuggly blankets.

Camp Build is running from 10.30am on Thursday 21^st July, through to around noon on Saturday 23^rd July. Any help is appreciated – volunteers can visit for a few hours to help out, or camp overnight on Thursday or Friday if they wish. Food will be provided throughout the Build period. Anyone wishing to help out can email info@derbykidscamp.co.uk or call 01332 498 558 for more information.