Pupils from nine different schools joined Camp Simcha’s sponsored walk, raising over £10k for the charity’s work supporting families with seriously ill children.

The 19 participants, from Archer Academy, Channing School, JCoss, JFS, Haberdashers’ Boys’ School, Hertsmere Jewish Progressive School, Immanuel College, South Hampstead High School and Yavneh College,  were all part of the charity’s B’nei Mitzvah programme.

The children, who are celebrating their bar or bat mitzvah in this academic year, walked an 8-mile route around North London, stopping off at the Whittington Hospital and Royal Free Hospital to deliver some of Camp Simcha’s cuddly monkeys as gifts for children on the wards.

As well as the walk, participants on the programme have the chance to take part in volunteering opportunities with Camp Simcha throughout the year,  including sorting and packing gifts for children in hospital at the charity’s annual Toy Drive.

One participant, Ella Behar, who is also supported by Camp Simcha, said:  “I wanted to do this walk because I wanted to give something back to Camp Simcha by raising funds for them as they have supported us as a family through difficult times.

“Being able to deliver the Camp Simcha monkeys up to the ward was really special because it made me feel like I was able to do something to give back to the hospital where I am also treated. The walk was great and it brought together the whole Camp simcha B’nei Mitzvah programme.”