Doing it for the Kids!

Running for Lily, and all the Sony Campers
Student Alumni band together and run with heart

Date: 07 October 2021 

Keen runners, who were once Student Companion volunteers caring for a child with disability at Sony Camp, are banding together in this year’s virtual City2Surf in honour of the young people they cared for, and to raise funds for this year’s Children’s Holiday Camps.

Sony Camp Alumni member, Liv Sutton, is part of the City2Surf Alumni Team and shares with us why her first Sony Camp experience is her inspiration to carry her through this physical challenge.

If you are interested in joining the Sony Foundation City2Surf Team, please email info@sonyfoundation.org.au, or register 

HERE 

I’m taking on this year’s virtual City2Surf to raise money for the Sony Foundation’s Children Holiday Camps Program. This is a unique respite program that sees high school and university students take on the responsibility of caring for children living with a disability, allowing for a holiday of a lifetime for the children and a valuable weekend off for their families. The families can also feel at ease as the Sony Camps provide a safe and supportive environment that caters to everyone’s individual needs. The planning behind each camp is extensive to ensure the students, teachers, volunteers, and nurses can provide the best support for each child. 

In December 2015, I participated in my first Sony Camp, which I still regularly point to as one of the best experiences I have ever had. For many of the Campers (children with disability), this was their first night away from home– an exciting yet nervous experience for most.

My Camper’s name was Lily, a very energic and enthusiastic Camper who loved to run...everywhere! On the first day, like many of the campers, Lily was a bit nervous and hesitant to join in activities. The best part of the Sony Camps is that nobody is ever pressured to join activities, so to ease Lily into the Camp, we spent the first day running around and playing with smaller groups of people.

The transformation in her confidence after the first day was incredible! By day two, Lily was splashing in the swimming pool, making gingerbread houses with all the other Campers, and even went for a ride in the hot air balloon. The vast range of activities that the Sony Camps offers allows children, like Lily, to break away from their regular routine to create relationships with other children and their Companions (student carers).

Between the 17th to the 24th of October, when I take on my virtual City2Surf race, I will be thinking of the amazing benefits Sony Camp brings to everyone involved – especially the campers like Lily.

Thank you to everyone who has already supported our fundraiser, your support is greatly appreciated and goes a long way.

To anyone looking to join our City2Surf team, please reach out to Sony Foundation HERE, or register HERE, we would love to have you on board! And most importantly, to anyone considering getting involved with the Sony Foundations Children’s Holiday Camp – I couldn’t recommend it enough!