Camp quality is a not for profit organisation that runs activity holidays for children with cancer. They are currently recruiting volunteers to look after kids with cancer on one-week (activity) holidays. The aims of the holidays (to unglamorous places in the UK) are:

• FUN!

• Allow kids to mix with other kids with cancer in a non-hospital setting, so that they are not only on a level physical playing field, but are also able to chat to each other about things which their friends don't understand; allowing them to feel "normal". (You'll often over-hear them comparing the colour of their sick following chemo, or who's got the latest playstation on the oncology ward - something which they couldn't normally do. It's a cathartic exercise for them and quite a surreal experience for you.)

• To give kids with cancer the confidence to swim, rock-climb and ride horses etc. (You'll see them transform themselves over the week into children who are confident in themselves and their abilities.)

• To give the parents a respite. (There's some crazy statistic - which I can't find - about a dramatic increase in divorce in families where a child is diagnosed with cancer.)

• To give the siblings of those kids a chance to get some attention from the parents as they are often neglected, and are often suffering more, emotionally, than anyone else in the family.

• Give the kids the best week that we can. (The name "Camp Quality" comes from the fact that we often can't increase the quantity of life, but by putting smiles on their faces, maybe we can improve the "quality" of the time they have left.)

• FUN - again... these holidays are about letting kids be kids for a week. For some, we don't know how long they have left, so we gotta give them a truly amazing time.

These holidays are about fun and forgetting (where possible) the child's illness, it is not about dwelling on how unwell or well they are. Companions aren't told about the child's condition, and they are forbidden from bringing it up unless the child wants to. You will probably spend the whole week acting as parent/sibling/best friend to the child and end up forgetting that they are ill - often only reminded in the very rare moment when you have time to think about things.

We do have difficulty finding the right type of people for these holidays, so I'll be blunt; we are looking for the following qualities:

• ENERGY and commitment - you won't have a minute for yourself while they are awake - this is a week for them

• Fun - you'll need to entertain them

• Sensitive - you don't know the kids stories, they'll all require different approaches

• A good actor - although you'll forget about their illness most of the time, when you remember it can hit you hard, but you can't show them your fears/concerns/sadness

• No ego - you may be asked to dress as a clown, or let the girls do your hair, or something else you really don't want your mates back home to see - but if it entertains the kids, then who cares!!!!

FINALLY
You will have an amazing time! Despite what I've said above, you can't help but get caught up in the "positive vibe". It is not only rewarding, but it's great fun! How many times can you rock climb, horse ride, go on a banana boat, gorge walk, learn archery, go to a theme park, quad bike, ice skate and go swimming all in one week!?!?

The holiday dates are 8-15 April, 22-29 July and 12-19 August. All travel, accommodation and food is paid for.

If you would like to apply to become a volunteer, please visit www.campqualityuk.org.uk.