The Brain Tumour Charity Family Day

The aim of the annual family day is to provide a relaxing and fun day for children living with a brain tumour away from a hospital setting which includes their parents and siblings. It was a great opportunity for people who are going through similar experiences to meet and share their stories and support one another. It also gives The Brain Tumour Charity staff the chance to meet the people they have been in contact with by phone or email, but often haven’t met in person.

Designed with the needs of children living with a brain tumour in mind, the family day welcomed kids from all age ranges from all over the UK. A special break room was available for children to rest and take a break from the elements.

From the moment the kids and their families arrived, it was clear it was going to be a very special day, beneficial to everyone involved. We had arranged a range of activities to suit all ages and abilities. Activities were ranger led to allow the Charity staff the opportunity to spend time with the children and their parents.

Mud Monsters: Discovering who eats whom in a walk through the woodland, hunting for woodland creatures and then creating creatures using mud.

Shelter building: Venturing into the woods to design and construct our own shelters.

Underwater Wonderland: Pond dipping and discovering the creatures that live below the surface of the water!

Construction Derby: Designing and constructing moving vehicles and then racing on the test track.

Barefoot Walk: Delighting in the sensation of walking on timber, bark, coal, pebbles, clay, feeling mud ooze between our toes and enjoying the footbath and the soft grass.

By the end of the day, we were left with a bunch of muddy kids and their parents (and charity staff!), with great big grins on their faces; enough to make a Cheshire Cat envious! Being able to share experiences in an environment that is fun yet challenging enables the children to focus on something other than their disease.

Kate Taylor, Head of Information and Support at The Brain Tumour Charity was thrilled with the success of the day. “It’s so rewarding to see the families being able to relax and take some time away from thinking about living with a brain tumour. Their lives have been so affected by the disease that it can be tough to think about anything else. Everyone had a great time and we’re really pleased to be able to offer a day like this!”

The Brain Tumour Charity Family Day is part funded by Roald Dahl Marvellous Children's Charity.