Sessions with a Camp Simcha art teacher are what five-year-old Samuel Van Emden looks forward to between chemotherapy treatments. And as a thank you to the charity, which has supported his Shenley family since his diagnosis with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last September, Samuel's art was exhibited locally to raise funds.
Samuel's mum, Charlie, said Camp Simcha had been "fantastic" during his treatment. "Every week, whether at home or in hospital, Samuel and Belinda [Glyn], Camp Simcha's art teacher, have been creating masterpieces which he wanted to exhibit. Being the creative soul that he is, he has also made several 'inventions' and these pieces were on show along with the pots, paintings and large canvases.
"Samuel loves the art sessions. Even on the days when he wasn't feeling good or was spaced out because of the steroids, he was really engaged when Belinda came.
"He has endured nine months of intense treatment but has come out the other side with a smile on his face. He has now started school and is loving every minute. We still have a long road ahead as treatment is for another two and a half years but life can go back to a new 'normal'. The art exhibition has been a great way to start that."
Radlett shops Art You Grew Up With and Love It offered their space for the show and more than 150 people came to view, raising £2,300.
Ms Glyn said Samuel's artworks were "unbelievable for a boy of his age. He gets so excited when we sit down to do something and comes up with the most imaginative ideas.
"It's also been incredibly beneficial, a real release for him as he chats away to me while he works. What he's been going through is traumatic and we have talked a lot about his hospital visits, the doctors, the nurses, what hurts, what doesn't. It gives him a chance to offload while he focuses on something else."
The charity's chief executive, Neville Goldschneider, said the art sessions "are just one of the many services we offer to our families to help them through powerful positive experiences and emotional support".
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