Irish charity Helium Arts has launched free summer camps for children in Galway living with lifelong health conditions this July.
Helium Arts was awarded €58,000 from the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal this week, along with 147 other lucky Irish charities.
This grant administered by the Community Foundation Ireland was made possible by the generosity of viewers of last November’s Late Late Toy Show.
Helium Arts was also announced as an awardee of the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland 2023 Changing Ireland Accelerator programme this week.
This is a nine-month accelerator programme for social entrepreneurs and is worth €60,000 as well as a range of other supports like mentoring and business advice.
Commenting on the announcement of the two awards, founder of Helium Arts, Helene Hugel said that winning two awards like this in just one day was wonderful.
“Helium Arts is grateful to the viewers of the Late Late Toy Show for helping us make magic for children,” she said.
“Our second award from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland is also really exciting as it supports us with funding as well as other key supports.
“Life can be tough for a young person with a lifelong health condition. This funding will allow us to increase our reach to more children in more places in Ireland, including Ennis and to reach those who need us most.”
Helium Arts camps are specially designed for children and young people (age 8-15) living with a lifelong physical health condition. All camps are supported by professional artists, volunteers and on-site medical care.
Activities at the camps include drawing, painting, puppetry, sculpture, film-making, animation, clay modelling and more!
Camps available to young people in Galway
18-20 July | In-person summer camp for ages 8-12
Location: Westside Library, Galway
20-22 July | In-person summer camp for teenagers ages 13-15
Location: Galway City Museum
4-6 July | Online camp for teenagers ages 13-15
Email hello@helium.ie to request a booking form.
