05 November 2018

A break in the Karkonosze Mountains worth its weight in gold

A break in the Karkonosze Mountains worth its weight in gold

More than 40 children and their families – the beneficiaries of the Iskierka Foundation – were able to sample the charms of the spa town of Karpacz, with all its many attractions and activities, in a trip made possible by the money raised in the charity auction at last year’s Eurobuild Awards Gala.

The trip was part of the Summer Campaign the Foundation has run for several years, which is focused on integration, getting out of the hospital and active recreation. It provides a valuable opportunity for the children’s parents to learn more about therapeutic ways of spending time, how to help in stress recovery and about psychological support during lengthy treatment processes.

Apart from the charms of Karkonosze Mountains, it was the visits to Książ and Czocha castles that generated the most enthusiasm. The children and their parents could also demonstrate their creativity in a workshop at the Julia Crystal Glassworks in Piechowice and by making pizza at Camp66 – a magical place with a view of Mt. Śnieżka. More fun was to be had splashing about in the thermal pools and dancing at the disco, so that the whole group came back brimming with positivity and happy memories.

“Our family is always impressed by the Iskierka foundation. With its help Dominik has been able to feel better in the ward and distance himself from his condition. We can’t always take part in the events organised by Iskierka because of the distance or due to work, but we are always willing to go on a trip. The boys had been wondering for some long time whether we would be able to go with them this year. But the trip turned out to be a very successful one. The work the organisers put into planning the whole trip was amazing. The resort was very atmospheric. Our rooms were clean, warm and tidy. The meals we were served were delicious, varied and no one ever rushed us. The whole trip was very interesting. The pizza-making workshop was a great success – the children made the pizzas themselves and gobbled them up heartily. Anyway, all the attractions laid on were superb for both the children and the parents. And it was nice to meet up in circumstances other than at the hospital. The day-room classes, especially the one when we were ironing transfers on to clothes, were another very good idea. The parents really got into it – especially when we had to search for colourful beads. It was a very good time for adults and children,” recalls the Łuczak family. “The trip to Karpacz was a wonderful experience. The Foundation’s planning for the trip was spot-on and the schedule was very interesting, even for the youngest ones. Not only could everyone get some well-needed rest, we could also learn something,” concluded Karol and his parents.

“We would like to thank the organisers and audience of the Gala for the support they have given. It is our great pleasure to invite you once again to the latest auction for Iskierka at the Eurobuild Awards 2018. Gleeds will be the partner of the charity auction this year. Our goal is to help fund the purchase of modern ultra-sound equipment for the Multispecialty Centre of Diagnosis and Therapy in Paediatrics and Oncology in Chorzów [Centrum Diagonstyczno-Terapeutyczne w Pediatrii i Onkologii Zespołu Szpitali Miejskich w Chorzowie], and a trip for those supported by the Foundation in the Summer Campaign 2019. The help you can give to children with this condition and for their families, providing them with opportunities to build trust through activities carried out together, is invaluable,” says Jolanta Siwecka-Czernicka, the president of the Iskierka Foundation.

More photos from the trip can be viewed in the gallery.