April 2024

66
Wanstead Village Directory
Organising CHAOS
Ahead of a fundraiser for Wanstead-based children’s charity CHAOS,
co-founder Norman Haynes reflects on the organisation’s beginnings and
explains how the money raised will be put to good use
CHAOS (Children’s Holidays and Other
Specialities) was founded by myself
and two friends – Stuart Ludlow and
Mick Bacon – in 1976. We were all aged
22 and, having recognised our own good
fortune in life, wanted to do something
to help those less fortunate. We visited
schools across East London and met with
social workers to spread the word that
we were offering free camping holidays
for eight- to 11-year-olds who would not
otherwise be receiving a holiday that year
– an escape from the pressures of inner-city
life for poverty-stricken children.
We spent the first year recruiting friends,
raising funds through sponsored walks,
jumble sales and suchlike, booking a campsite
and coaches, borrowing camping equipment,
selecting the children and organising the
programme for a week away at Stubbers
Adventure Centre in Upminster. In addition
to the sports onsite, we had trips planned to
the seaside, Chessington Zoo and a farm in
Sawbridgeworth. Our first camp took place in
1977 with 37 children and 10 adults. It rained six
days out of seven! But the germ of an idea had
sprouted and we grew from there, becoming
registered as a charity in 1981.
Our camps provide a safe, nurturing,
learning, loving and most importantly, fun
environment where kids can just be kids. On
a CHAOS camp, children learn a great deal
about teamwork and how to look after each
other through games, nature walks, camping
and beach activities. For some of the more
deprived children, waking to the sound of
farm animals, meeting the farmer or climbing
into the cab of a tractor will be a memorable
and positive experience of country life.
And nothing beats having hot chocolate
and biscuits whilst singing songs around a
Camping with CHAOS
campfire! The joy this charity brings to kids’
lives is absolutely invaluable. It provides an
opportunity to build their confidence, gives
them a break from the daily hardships they
endure and also affords a brief respite for their
families during the long summer holidays.
The number of children who have benefitted
from our camps has been lost in the mist of
time, but it is well above 2,500. An interesting
side effect of the charity’s work is its lasting
impact, which is evidenced by the number of
children who choose to return to the charity
as adults and volunteer as members of staff.
When we set up this charity to help alleviate
poverty, never in our wildest dreams did we
expect the situation to become worse! Each
year we are oversubscribed for places on
our camps and it is very sad to be turning
deserving children away due to a lack of
funds. The fundraising events we hold – such
as the one at Wanstead Golf Club this month –
are invaluable to supporting our work.
A dinner and dance in aid of CHAOS will
take place at Wanstead Golf Club on
26 April (tickets: £60; book by 12 April). For
more information, to book tickets or to
donate, visit wnstd.com/chaos
To advertise, call 020 8819 6645 or visit wnstd.com