"Copsnkids" Program.
The "Copsnkids" program is a program run by Ballarat Police, in conjunction with many organisations, including Royal Children's Hospital and Challenge; a support network for children with cancer and their families. It is run at no cost to the attendees due to the generosity of the Ballarat community and businesses. Local businesses, community and service groups, as well as the general community and tourist operators donate time, money and services to ensure that the children attending the Cops ‘N' Kids camp have a time to remember.
The program conducts two camps each year and various other activities and outings, such as Puffing Billy train ride, Adventure Park, Geelong and in 2007 the children had a day playing cricket with Glen McGrath and what a special day that was, his cricket ability is only out shun by his personality, all that attended the day were so impressed with the time and effort that he took with the children
The two camps are the Ballarat families Camp, which is conducted at Maldon, usually held in October and the Ballarat Camp, which is usually held in November
The children attending the Ballarat camp are selected from those undergoing treatment at The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and are aged between 4 and
8 years of age. Victoria Police provide coach transport from Challenge headquarters in King St East Melbourne for the children and carer's. The coaches are used to transport the group for the weekend before returning to Melbourne on Monday. The children, their carers and the support staff totalling about 140 people are accommodated at Sovereign Hill Lodge, Magpie Street, Ballarat. Local Police officers take time out to attend the camp over the 4 days giving a special thrill for the kids to hang out with the "Cops".
The idea of the weekend is to allow some respite for the families with seriously ill children from the everyday anxieties and caring responsibilities of their child. From
1996's first camp for 16 children we have grown to accommodate approximately 60 children since 2000. The camp is held in November each year with a budget of between $270,000 and $280,000 required if not for the generosity of the Ballarat which allows these children to have 4 days jam packed with fun and exciting activities that many would never have the chance to do if not for the camp. Without the
support of the local community, businesses and tourism, the organisers would struggle to continue to run the camp.
The 2006 Cops ‘N' Kids Camp was a special camp as it was the first time an attendee of our first camp, a 5 year old suffering cancer, returned as a carer looking after the children. She wrote after this camp that it was still as good as she remembered in
1996.
To date 595 children and countless numbers of carer's, volunteer's and police members have had the opportunity to be part of these camps. There is a huge commitment from both the Victoria Police and community, particularly from several ladies who spend the entire weekend preparing meals for around 150 hungry mouths.
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Due to the success of the "Copsnkids" Camp it was decided to run a camp for the Ballarat and district children. The camp has now been running for 3 years and is an opportunity for the Ballarat Police to assist those in the community that are not so well off.
The camp is held at the Derby Hill camp, Maldon, with the activities being in both Maldon and Bendigo. 35 children, 25 adults and 8 police members that attend the camp have a great time with 2 ½ days of fun filled activities. To date 150 children have enjoyed this experience. A budget of approximately $80,000.00 would be required to cover this camp. Without the generosity of the community, businesses and tourism the organisers would struggle to continue to run the camp.
The camp for the Ballarat families is slightly different, in that parents have the opportunity to attend the camp if they wish with their child/children and the carer's will assist. Some of the families choose to stay at home and let us (carer's and police member's) look after their child/children, whilst others choose to come along and enjoy the fun for the whole weekend.
There is, I believe one other similar camp run through the New South Wales Police in
Australia, although many Police Officers give of their time to various camps.
I hope this provides you with some information about these camps. If there is anything further you wish to know about these camps, feel free to e-mail me john.moloney@police.vic.gov.au or jredmoloney@hotmail.com.au or ring me on
0409 544 834.
Thank you for your time and take care. Yours sincerely
John Moloney
Sergeant 18161