By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Clyde North resident Sam Grant has been awarded the highest volunteer honour available to Camp Quality volunteers after four and half years helping children with cancer.
Mr Grant has received the Victorian Dick Gillard award for his tireless efforts in improving the life of children suffering from cancer.
Mr Grant became involved with Camp Quality after he took an early retirement package and wanted to help out people who needed some extra care.
“I took an early retirement package and I’m not a good golfer and I thought I had seen something on the TV about Camp Quality,” he said.
“I wanted to put something back into the community again and the bond between volunteers is amazing; everyone is a winner, the volunteers are great, the kids are great, the families are great.”
He said the unfiltered joy children express when they have a chance to forget about their illness is what keeps him going with his volunteer duties.
“It has become a real passion seeing the joy and fun upon kid’s faces when we go away or at the family camps,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to never experience the fear of possibly losing a child so to take families and allow them to interact with each and the appreciation of what Camp Quality does.”
Fund-raising specialist for Camp Quality Victorian Jo McKeown said no-one was more deserving of the award than Mr Grant.
“From being an amazing companion, who does incredible work with kids on camps, to bringing a shining light into the office, Sam is an all-round brilliant person who celebrates life and appreciates every moment,” she said.
Mr Grant is also getting behind Camp Quality’s push for more male volunteers through their “Time to Bro Up” campaign.
The campaign aims to encourage more men into volunteer roles after recent data showed that while over 50 per cent of kids impacted by cancer are boys, less than 30 per cent of Camp Quality volunteers are men.
Mr Grant said he understands the hesitation a lot of men have when it comes to volunteering, especially with kids.
“It’s was one of my initial fears; the stigma of a 63-year-old man wanting to work with kids but Camp Quality put you at ease with this,” he said.
“They have strict child protection protocols and that puts you at ease with no fear of people being suspicious of you.”
“I would encourage anyone to give it a go; it’s an experience like no other.”
Camp Quality CEO Kylea Tink said there is not time like the present for men all over Australia to consider joining the Camp Quality team.
“Every child attending a Camp Quality camp has a companion of the same gender as a mentor, much like a big brother or sister, to ensure they are supported to have the best time ever,” she said.
“With boys being diagnosed at a higher rate than girls, and male volunteer numbers so low, our fear is that our boy campers will soon start missing out on this life-changing opportunity.”
The ‘Time to Bro Up’ campaign asks Australia men to think about what they do on the weekend and whether they could instead spare a weekend to #BroUp and change a boy’s life.
Camp Quality is asking men on social media to post a photo of their weekend with the following caption:
“A weekend going to / doing [ … ] is [ … ] but what about giving up one weekend to support boys growing up with cancer? Time to #BroUp and show you’re keen to be a #CampQuality companion.”
To find out more about Camp Quality or the #BroUp campaign visit www.campquality.org.au
