The Camp Purple Live Committee has undergone some changes of late and we have some new aditions to our team.

 Firstly, we would like to thank the previous Camp Committee members for their commitment and dedication for the past five years and in making Camp Purple Live such a huge success. You guys ROCK!

Our first Committee member, Christina Sandford lives in Gore with her partner, three cats, and giant dog. She works as a Graphic Designer and Production Manager in the signwriting industry. She loves to bake delicious treats, paint with watercolours and read thrillers. She was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2014 and found it quite isolating. Her first camp as a volunteer was in 2018 at Camp Adair in Auckland. She loves being around children and it warms her heart seeing all the campers grow and have the best time in such an understanding environment. Christina’s main role on our committee is to help organise our Junior Day.

Colleen Flemmer has been a huge supporter of Camp Purple Live since her son attended in 2016. She was born and bred in South Africa and met her Kiwi partner, Dave, whilst working in Dubai over 20 years ago. After moving around the world quite a bit, they finally settled in New Zealand. Now a Kiwi citizen and living near Queenstown down south, she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Colleen is also a graphic designer and worked for herself ever since Dubai and more recently, she owned and managed a 12 unit motel in Arrowtown for 5 years - sold last year! Colleen has two children aged 15 and 13. Her eldest has Crohn's disease and was diagnosed when he was one year old so they’ve had a long and very bumpy journey with this disease. They're out the other side now. She is thrilled to be part of the Camp Purple team this year and Colleen’s keen to give back in any small way she can. Colleen will be involved in improving our parent’s seminar.

Eden Standing is an immigration officer from Auckland. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in June 2010, as a 15 year old. She has attended Camp Purple Live twice, both times as a volunteer. She enjoys swimming, spending time with her friends and family, getting outdoors to go walking and caring for her grandmother. She is a bubbly, bright and outgoing person. Eden loves that she has the opportunity to be part of the camp and now on the Committee, along with being able to support the kids who attend. Eden is our “jack of all trades” primarily in charge of gathering supplies for our loot bags but also helping out wherever she is needed.

Joshua Bardell is a Business Development Manager in the construction industry by day, but his passion is the outdoors. Any excuse and he'll be tramping, kayaking, and rock climbing. He has Crohn’s disease and has done for well over half his life but he has never let it get the better of him. Camp Purple was introduced to Josh through a nurse at Dunedin hospital and on one of his many visits to hospital and he has been volunteering ever since. Camp is something Josh truly believes in. Josh has said that “It is something that would have helped during some hard years for both me and my family by having a community together talking openly about Crohn's.” He is looking forward to helping make Camp more amazing. His role on the committee is to be helping out with the programme and volunteers for 2020. Josh also makes up one-third of 3ply, who are raising funds for camp by competing in a tuk-tuk race across India.

Welcome aboard Christina, Colleen, Eden and Josh! I am sure with your fresh ideas and help, Camp Purple Live 2020 will be even better than the last camp.