A Winter Wonderland online extravaganza packed full of interactive activities brought a welcome relief to Camp Simcha families – just as news of the greater Covid restrictions arrived.

Seriously ill children and their families were treated to a menu of back to back entertainment, with boxes full of accompanying activities sent it for each Zoom event.

Over 400 family members enjoyed programme which included a live animal show with Zoo2U; igloo-making, a magic show, biscuit-making, a drumming workshop, arts and crafts, Zumba, dance sessions, music, family bingo, candle-making for teenagers, escape rooms, canvas painting and gin-making for parents.

To top the day off dinner was delivered with a chocolate fondue kit for dessert.

Parents all fed back what a boost it had been for them and how much they had enjoyed being reunited with other Camp Simcha families online throughout the day’s activities.

Camp Simcha mum Kimberley Gabriel, from London, whose Rocco has a muscular condition, said: “Even in Tier 4, Camp Simcha managed to pull off a Zoom Winter Wonderland. We have had such a fun day and the kids are so proud of their biscuits. Rocco just amazed me putting it (the decoration) on all by himself.”

Rivka Stern, from Manchester, whose son Ari has a serious heart condition, said her family had had the most fantastic day.

“The kids loved watching the interesting animal show, then doing their arts and crafts, followed by a fab, fun zumba session that we all had great fun dancing along to.

“After lunch the drumming was great fun and then the girls then had a great time decorating biscuits whilst the boys loved the music session!

“We all had fun playing bingo… and having dinner sent in with all the paperware too, made it a real treat for me. But the highlight for me was definitely the last zooms…it was something so different and interesting and was just so nice to just block everything else out.”