How many kids can we send to Camp Magic?

Quizzic Alley is delighted to announce that all funds raised at Harry Potter Book Night on Thursday 12th October will be donated to Feel the Magic who help kids experiencing pain and isolation due to the death of a parent, guardian, or sibling.

An Australian charity, Feel the Magic provides early intervention grief education programs for kids aged 7 to 18 and creates a community where grieving kids and their families feel supported, empowered, and can begin to move forward with their lives.

Did you know that one in every 20 children aged 7-17 will experience the death of a parent? In Australia, just over 300,000 children will lose a parent before they reach the age of 18. To put this into perspective, there is most likely a child grieving the loss of a parent in every class at school. In addition to this, children also experience sibling and legal guardian loss.

Grieving children who have experienced the death of someone they love can feel isolated and alone. They require ongoing support in developing strategies to cope with and move forward with their lives following a loss.

Feel the Magic’s evidence-informed programs have been developed by a clinical psychologist and are delivered by trained professionals. Programs follow a structured psychoeducational framework to increase confidence and self-respect, teaching practical coping strategies to grieve in a healthy and positive way.

Bereaved young people commonly suffer challenges including anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, which contributes to the nearly one quarter of young people in Australia who experience some form of mental health challenge. Feel the Magic aims to reduce the mental health challenges associated with childhood grief.

It costs around $1500 to send a child to Camp Magic, a free transformational weekend where kids work together on fun physical challenges and learn vital skills for healing and coping with grief. Every child is matched with a Mentor who make them feel safe by being a constant source of support and guidance. ‘Campers’ leave ready to face the road ahead, with a circle of friends and a Mentor for life – knowing that they’re strong enough to live with grief and heal.

The connection between Feel the Magic and Quizzic Alley is not lost on owner, Nearly Legless Mick.

“The link between grieving kids and Harry Potter is clear. Although Harry lost his parents at a very young age, he carries the grief and longiong with him and I’m sure lots of kids who have lost a mum or dad identify with Harry. The story of the boy who lived is so important in many children’s lives.

“We’ve wanted to work with Feel the Magic for some time but COVID put a halt to our in-store events so it’s great to be plannign again and working with this great bunch of people.

“We’re kicking it off at Harry Potter Book Night on Thuesday 12th October and we hope we can raise enough money to send at least one kid to Camp Magic,” said Mick.