Club Doncaster Foundation spread cheer to over 40 children through Holiday Activaties & Food (HAF) camp

Club Doncaster Foundation spread cheer and joy to over 40 children throughout the festive period, as part of Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) camp.

The HAF programme, funded by the Department for Education, is designed to provide healthy food and enriching activities for primary and secondary school children, during the school holiday periods. 

Partnering up with Mallard Primary School, the Foundation offered a fun and engaging camp between Christmas and the New Year, for children to attend

Those in attendance, took part in a range of multi sport activities, from dodgeball, to basketball and football to team building games. Alongside physical activity, children got involved in a number of fun and engaging educational workshops throughout the week. 

With an average of 30+ children attending each day and 110 children involved over the course of the week, with food provided to each individual, through a healthy hot meal and snack.

One participant who attended throughout the week, spoke of how much she’d enjoyed the camp: “I really enjoyed being in school and doing all the fun stuff. We’ve done football and rounders and I enjoyed doing the food kebab workshop too.

“Coming to the camp, I got the chance to play with other people I’d never know from school before. It was fun to have the coaches involved too. 

“My parents told me to come along, as they said it would be fun and they didn’t want me to miss out, so being at the camp has been a dream for me. Learning about eating healthy and exercising can help my body and my mind as I get older.”

The HAF camps delivered by the Foundation, are more than just holiday clubs, they’re a lifeline for families during school breaks, ensuring children have access to healthy meals, fun acitivities and a safe space to learn and play, all while easing the pressure on parents at times that can be financially challenging. 

Youth engagement manager, Tom Butterworth, shared his enthusiasm for the initiative: “It’s an honour to deliver these incredible camps. Health and wellbeing are at the heart of our community and being able to help children by providing nutritious meals and engaging activities this festive period, is one of the best gifts we can give.

“Christmas can be a tough time for many families, so initiatives like HAF camps, make a real difference. They’re not just about keeping children entertained, they’re about supporting wellbeing and giving every child the chance to thrive.”

For more information on upcoming camps during school holidays, keep an eye on our social media channels. Interested in hosting one of our HAF camps at your school? Please contact tom.butterworth@clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk.