Getting involved with the Tourette’s Association (TANZ) and being part of Camp Twitch – New Zealand’s biggest get-together for young Tourette’s sufferers and their families – has been life- changing for the HELL team, as well as the Association.
HELL directors and senior managers took time away from their own families and busy schedules to attend Camp Twitch, hoping to make a small difference. Facing up to involuntary tics is one thing – hearing stories of social isolation from those dealing with the disorder was an emotional hit the HELL team wasn’t quite prepared for.
HELL founder Callum Davies said: “Those kids and their parents are just amazing. Hearing their stories was incredible; there wasn’t a dry eye in the whole camp.” HELL has a real passion for supporting underdog causes and quickly committed to further support, agreeing to a 12-month sponsorship.
As part of that, over one week in 2017, HELL ran its #GiveATic campaign, in which one dollar was donated to TANZ for every double pizza sold.
It ended up being rated as one of the busiest weeks in HELL history, making nearly $50,000 for the charity. The money ensured the survival of the camp and free attendance for families going through tough times. HELL repeated the campaign in 2018 and continues to support The Tourette’s Association each year with fundraising initiatives and support at their annual camp.
See what Camp Twitch is all about:
Camp Twitch organiser, Robyn Twenlow, said: “The camp is incredibly important for the personal development of the mostly young attendees. At our first one in 2014, we had people in their twenties who had never met another sufferer – that’s a very long time to be isolated. With HELL’s support, we can now run the camp annually.”
The partnership with TANZ is all about promoting greater knowledge, awareness and understanding. HELL continues to support the charity with passion.
Facts about Camp Twitch and TANZ:
The four-day Camp Twitch is held in Rotorua every year and is a lifeline for families seeking time away in a supportive environment.
When the HELL team visited Camp Twitch to teach the kids how to make pizza, they saw first-hand how difficult life is living with Tourette’s and immediately felt compelled to provide further support.
With zero government funding, TANZ has defied the odds to become the country’s leading authority on the neurological disorder – it’s estimated that around 1 in 200 Kiwis carry the gene.