The NSPCC is calling on businesses in South Lanarkshire to make a resolution for 2010 and help answer every child's cry for help by raising funds or donating their time or resources.
High profile cases in the media have shocked the public and shown just how vulnerable children can be. The NSPCC helplines are a lifeline for many vulnerable children or adults with concerns. This is why the Child's Voice Appeal was launched to develop both the ChildLine service for children in distress or danger and the NSPCC Helpline for adults with concerns about the welfare of a child. To ensure the NSPCC is able to support all children when they need someone to turn to, the children's charity is calling on firms to follow in the footsteps of telephone banking firm, first direct, who have been supporting the Child's Voice Appeal throughout 2009.
Employees at the Hamilton based company are raising funds for the Appeal to develop and expand the ChildLine service and the NSPCC helpline for adults who are concerned about a child, so they can be there for every child who needs them.
Their fundraising efforts included a big bike ride from the company's office in Hamilton to its office in Leeds. Over 40 staff completed the 215-mile journey and raised £60,000 for the Child's Voice Appeal.
"At the beginning of 2009 we started our partnership with ChildLine and pledged to raise £2 million for the charity by 2011. We've really been inspired by the great fundraising work done by our employees. By taking challenges, running marathons and cycling across the UK they've contributed to raising over £440,000 in 2009 alone. We hope other Scottish companies and organisations will get on board and support the Child's Voice Appeal in 2010."
Samantha Bagg, NSPCC corporate fundraising manager, said: "With the help of companies like first direct, the ChildLine service and the NSPCC Helpline for adults are already there for thousands of children and young people, but we need to keep developing our services and reaching more young people.
"This year we would like to challenge businesses in South Lanarkshire to help us protect even more vulnerable children and young people in 2010. This could be as simple as recycling used printer cartridges and old mobile phones, setting up a payroll giving scheme or offering a gift in kind. We can provide help and support to companies looking to put on employee fundraising events or set up a local business group to inspire others to raise money to help end cruelty to children. We know companies find working with us extremely rewarding, and I am always amazed by some of the fun, creative activities companies undertake to support us!"
To find out more on how your business can raise funds for the Child's Voice Appeal, please contact the Samantha Bagg on 0844 892 0212 or email: sbagg@nspcc.org.uk.
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For further information please contact the NSPCC Scotland communications team on 0207 650 6767 (in Glasgow) or out-of-hours on 07760 272 021.
Notes to editors
About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people. In Scotland, Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people who turn to us for support from bases in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.
About the Child's Voice Appeal
The government pledged £30m over four years from 2007 towards the expansion of ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline, but the NSPCC needs the support of the public to raise a further £50m through the Child's Voice Appeal, to make its vision to answer many more cries for help a reality. Everyone can support the Child's Voice Appeal at www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk. To date the appeal has raised £22.6 million.
