Volunteers as young as three-years-old helped pack Rosh Hashanah boxes, delivered by Camp Simcha to families with seriously ill children.

The group of volunteers from philanthropic project The Tides Foundation and Little Tides, which was established to encourage children to volunteer, packed over 150 boxes full of Rosh Hashanah arts and crafts, themed goodies and toiletries. The children also created a piece of art to be reproduced on gift tags in the boxes.

The boxes are designed to bring an emotional boost to families Camp Simcha supports, at what can often be a difficult time of year.

Camp Simcha Head of Services Daniel Gillis explained: “The High Holy Days often bring extra pressures and can feel isolating for some of our families, who have to grapple with the fact they cannot have a ‘normal’ yom tov. If their child is in hospital or needs round-the-clock care, festivals look very different,” explained Mr Gillis.

“We try to mitigate this in a variety of ways. The boxes are about providing something entertaining for children to do – while also giving parents some respite and creating that community of support from Camp Simcha.

“In addition to the boxes, Camp Simcha will continue to help users in whatever they can during the Yom Tovim. Hospital transport, crisis meals and household support will all be part of the service, as well as anything individual families may require, such as respite care so a family can sit down to a Yom Tov meal or volunteers to be with siblings.”

One parent, on receiving the box, fed back: “It came as a wonderful surprise at the perfect moment. You created such joy…with the crafts, delicious treats and creative stuff to enhance our yom tov.”