Wellington Central Districts

Camper, Companion, and Fundraising Through Her Art: Emma Watson has come full circle with Camp Quality

22 June 2026

Fundraising

For longer than Emma can remember, she’s been affected by cancer. At two years old, she was diagnosed with T-cell leukaemia, a rare bone marrow cancer that requires years of intensive treatments. When she came out the other side, Emma had undergone 2,706 different medical procedures as a child.

Now grown up and a graduate of Spotswood College, Emma had made a full recovery. But the scars from her battle have continued affecting her life even today, decades later. She has hearing loss in one ear, and wears a hearing aid. 

Becoming part of Camp Quality

When she was six years old, Emma attended her first camp – and it was nothing short of magical. As she describes it, being able to do the ‘crazy things at camp’ gave her a sense of freedom she had never experienced before. The connections and the fun she enjoyed during the eight summer camps and two winter camps was life-changing for her. 

‘Camp Quality was always like a second home. The people there just know what you’ve been through. You don’t have to explain anything – it’s all normal. It’s my favourite place,’ Emma said.

When she got old enough to volunteer with Camp Quality, Emma returned as a Companion. Now, she helps support younger campers, giving back to the community that made such a difference to her as a kid.

 

The inspiration for fundraising

At just eight years old, Emma became an official ambassador for Child Cancer Foundation (CCF). There was an opportunity to auction a drawing at a local Ferrari Owners Club to raise funds for CCF, and Emma was tasked with creating the art: a classic red Ferrari. 

After that, Emma didn’t hear much more about the drawing. But years later, she realised that it had become a staple fundraiser for over ten years! Every year, the drawing was brought back by the previous owners to be auctioned off again. Instead of just one owner and one donation, the painting had hung in many homes and led to many donations to the charity.

‘I was shocked,’ said Emma. ‘I was not expecting, 10 years later, to hear that it was still going around.’ 

With her artistic skills even more improved, Emma agreed to create a new Ferrari painting to replace the old one. This time, funds will all be donated to Camp Quality. At the painting’s unveiling this year, Emma was invited to give a 30-minute speech about her story. She said that while speaking publicly was daunting and new for her, she loved the experience and the chance to tell others about the impact of Camp Quality.

With the new Ferrari painting now handing proudly in a home, with a phenomenal story behind it, Emma is proud to have helped bridge new connections and support for Camp Quality through her art and through her willingness to share. 

Emma continues to amaze us with her leadership, her strength, and her character. We’re so lucky to have her representing Camp Quality, volunteering with us over the holidays, and, of course, for rising above all her life’s challenges and being a true role model for the kids who come next.