Helping children hold onto their childhood

For the past year, Camp Hill Lodge has supported Friends with Dignity to help children affected by family violence to stay connected to the ordinary stuff of childhood, from joining a soccer team, going on a school excursion, or having a laptop for their homework.

Since May 2025, Camp Hill Lodge has backed two of the organisation’s programs, supporting children aged 5 to 18 whose families have been impacted. Little Friends Urgent Requests provides practical items to children referred through domestic and family violence services. The Little Friends Scholarship Program offers up to $500 per child to keep them connected to school, sport, music, and community life.

Camp Hill Lodge Members contributed more than 260 hours of volunteering over the year, celebrating Friends with Dignity’s Sanctuary program, sorting donated goods at a warehouse volunteering day, and collecting much-needed items. Together with the Lodge’s fundraising efforts and Matched Giving through Hand Heart Pocket, the Lodge unlocked $36,315 for Friends with Dignity this year.

“We’re incredibly proud of what our Members have achieved with Friends with Dignity this year. It’s been about turning up, not just fundraising – getting our hands dirty in the warehouse, meeting the team, seeing where the support is needed. That’s what keeps us coming back,” said Shane Kelley of Camp Hill Lodge.

Members have been invited to join the Scholarship Evaluation Team working alongside Friends with Dignity to review applications and help decide how support is allocated, making sure every dollar reaches the children who need it most.

Photo caption: Camp Hill Lodge is proud to recognise Friends with Dignity’s milestone achievement of completing their 1,000th Sanctuary Home.