A LOVING older brother from West Ealing dedicated his life to volunteering at a children’s charity after his sister was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001.

When Mike Campbell’s sister was diagnosed with the disease at just seven years old she attended a summer camp organised by Over The Wall at Bryanston School in Dorset.

The camp for children with life-limiting illnesses allowed Mike, who was just ten at the time, to attend a sibling camp.

“It’s the closest thing to Hogwarts,” said Mike who is now 25.

“It was the best week of my life.”

Mike returned to sibling camp twice more before deciding to apply to be a camp volunteer, aged 19.

“I wanted to make sure others experienced what I did,” said Mike.

Mike has now volunteered at nine – soon to be ten – Over The Wall camps, but that’s not all.

The West Ealing resident inspired 25 of his O2 work colleagues to join him in setting up his own camp in Birmingham.

The Over The Wall camp volunteers see a transformation in the children from day one.

Mike said: “It’s a positive place and collaborative environment where everyone is equal.

“You get people from all walks of life who arrive into a creative, decorated atmosphere, and it’s simply an infectious place to be”.

The charity, which now recruits more than 700 volunteers a year in the UK, wants to raise awareness that you are not defined by your illness.

Over The Wall is always looking for new volunteers, and Mike is their biggest advocate.

He said: “Everyone should try it. You could go to Ibiza or you could spend a week of your life at summer camp and help children who face challenges in their life.

“It’s a worthwhile thing to do”.

During his sister’s illness Mike found himself missing out on certain aspects of life, leaving his parents Ian and Jane with a lot to manage.

“I had to centre myself and went to camp to simply catch up,” said Mike.

The effects of an ill child or sibling can be devastating for their family and loved ones.

“Having a seriously ill sibling means you are on the receiving end of lots of support and will even have strangers ask if you are ok,” said Mike.

It is with the knowledge that everyone is impacted when a child or sibling is faced with a life-threatening illness that made UK businessman Joe Woods set up Over The Wall in 1999 — at the request of late Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman.

In July, Mike completed a 350km bike ride from London to Paris with his work colleagues raising more than £2,000 for Over The Wall.

“It went smoother than I expected,” he said.

“I’d never cycled before, but I thought it’s obviously a worthwhile cause and camp is all about setting yourself challenges and overcoming them so that’s what I wanted to do.”

Over The Wall assistant volunteer coordinator, Anna Wilson, described Mike as having a wonderful nature.

She said: “We are amazed not only by the time Mike has given, but additionally by the money he raises for the charity — it’s epic!”