Havant childrens' charity set to run fun-packed camp after £90,000 funding boost

Havant-based charity Over The Wall has received a £90,000 pledge from The Toy Trust to set up a new residential camp for children with health challenges.

Chosen as one of the toy industry charity’s key annual beneficiaries, the cause is now expected to run a new camp for 65 children in August.

Kevin Mathieson, CEO at Over The Wall – which was founded by Hollywood star Paul Newman – said: ‘It’s a great pleasure to have been chosen by the Toy Trust as its charity of the year.

‘Like Over The Wall, The Toy Trust has a very strong interest in the therapeutic benefits of play – which our camps have always focused on.

‘Over The Wall is always looking for new ways for us to grow the number of camps and campers in the UK and this partnership will certainly allow us to do this.’

In addition to receiving the cash, Over The Wall will now team up with The Toy Trust to develop research demonstrating the benefits of play for those with ilnesses.

Representatives from the toy charity will also be invited to visit and volunteer at one of Over The Wall’s camps.

Chairwoman of The Toy Trust, Foye Pascoe, said: ‘Giving the gift of play is very important to us all and is at the heart of everything we stand for as an industry.

‘We are thrilled to be partnering with Over the Wall this year, a truly inspiring charity that is making a huge difference to children’s lives through their unique camps.’

It is hoped much of the money pledged by The Toy Trust will be raised at the organisation’s Big Challenge event on Saturday, June 9.

The fixture will see toy industry workers get involved in a fun-packed triathlon, set to take place at Little Marlow in Buckinghamshire.