25 years ago we started supporting just 7 families. Now we are making a difference to over 1200 people and supporting children with more then 50 different conditions and serious illnesses
Meir Plancey, together with Abi Ofstein, Shimon Levy and Sarah Whitefield began helping children with cancer and their families in the UK in 1993 and Meir, then joined by his wife Rachely, incorporated the charity formally in 1995.
We set up our volunteer programme to bring fun and laughter to children.
This was the year of our very first toy drive. Around 5 schools took part and the toys were sorted in Rachely and Meir's house.
Our very first dinner was attended by 380 people at The Park Lane, Hilton and raised £200,000.
Our very first Retreat for 6 families was held at in Norwich.
Neville opened the first office in Pearl House, Temple Fortune
Mandy Isaacs joins the Camp Simcha team as the first Family Liaison Officer
In 2005 we started to help children with other life threatening conditions then cancer.
Camp Simcha began helping families in Manchester, Gateshead, Leeds, Bristol, Norwich and Glasgow.
Pearl Lopian our first Family Liaison Officer in Manchester joined the team to start supporting families
The charity moved from offices in Temple Fortune to 'The House', in Queens Road, Hendon, through the generosity of the Orenstein family.
Our first Keshet summer day scheme was held this year
Our therapeutic arts sessions began and our one of our most popular services to date
Was held at The National Football Museum with 120 attendees
We were so proud when Rachely won the Points of Light Award
At our Fundraising Dinner in 2015 we announced that we would widen the criteria of children we could support to include life changing conditions such as Type 1 Diabetes, Chrohn's and Colitis.
This year saw our very first overseas challenge 'Conquer the Canyon'
Our first Ladies Lunch event was held at JW3 with guest speaker Faye Ripley
At our Together Again London Dinner we announced a unique partnership with children's hospice Noah's Ark. with the support of the Wohl Foundation we provided a Shabbat room for families using Noah's ark, Ark Building.
We were delighted that Jonathan and Sharon Goldstein became our Presidents and Philippe and Deborah Katz became our Honorary Guardians.
Camp Simcha announces plans to support families of children with serious mental health conditions
We now have 13 FLOs, 250 volunteer big brothers and sisters, and support 1200 family members