Anglesey volunteers’ recipe for success to help keep children and young people safe

• Fundraising trio raise funds for child protection charity by selling home-made jams and chutneys
• Volunteers raise £5,000 for the NSPCC, with lockdown increasing sales
• The children’s charity relies on public donations for 90% of its income

Volunteers on Anglesey have raised more than £5,000 in a year for a children’s charity by making and selling their own chutneys and jams.

The idea for the fundraising venture was born after Lynne Adam, Pat Perkins and Ann Mills sold for donations surplus marmalades and pickled onions that they’d made for the annual Vintage Steam Rally five years ago.

Since then, the fundraising trio from the Pentraeth District of the NSPCC’s fundraising team has made produce each year, collecting donations in return.

The lockdown restrictions increased demand for the products and last year the team of dedicated volunteers raised an incredible £5,000 for the NSPCC.

Lynne says: “In the last year, it’s really taken off. I have a table of produce outside my home and an honesty box. We have had lots of locals walking by during lockdown, often with their dogs, and some of them have become regular supporters.

“I don’t do it alone – lots of people contribute to its success – and there is a smashing group of people around here that support by buying our jams, chutneys, marmalades and pickles.

“The more we sell, the more we have to make and so the local library collects jars for us. There are so many wonderful charities, but my main reason for supporting the NSPCC for so long is because it’s the only charity that everyone has in common because we’ve all been a child. Some of us have been more fortunate than others in our childhood. It’s very simple.”

It’s not just jams and chutneys the volunteers have been busy making. The friends have worked their way through 2,500 knitted chicks, Halloween and stocking creations that they are looking forward to selling now that restrictions are easing.

Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Cymru/Wales, Emma Brennan says: “Lynne, Pat and Ann really have found a recipe for success with the sales of their homemade jams and chutneys, let alone their knit-wears.

“We rely on public donations for 90% of our income, which helps fund our services such as Childline, so the support of our fundraising volunteers across Wales helps us be there for children and families who need our help.

“As we approach Volunteers Week (1-7 June), it never fails to amaze me the dedication of our volunteers to helping us prevent child abuse and help keep children from harm – and Lynne, Pat, and Ann are wonderful examples of that.”

Childline hears from children every day who are being abused, suffering from mental health issues or struggling to cope. In the last year, almost 90,000 counselling sessions have been delivered to children and young people across the UK about mental wellbeing and abuse alone from Childline’s 12 bases – one of which is in nearby Prestatyn.

The charity also offers direct services to families across north Wales including Letting the Future In, which provides therapeutic support to children who have been sexually abused, and In Ctrl that supports families to help keep children safer online.

To help support the NSPCC in its fight for every childhood, people across Wales are being invited to play their part in giving children a great summer and brighter future by getting involved in the charity’s Childhood Day. Rugby legend, Sam Warburton has been encouraging families, friends and colleagues to celebrate childhood by organising a play event on June 11^th to raise money and help keep children safe.

The charity continues to be in need of Childline volunteers in Prestatyn and is inviting people who might be interested in finding out more to get in contact via Sally.King-Sheard@nspcc.org.uk or 01745 772 101. Successful applicants are asked to give a minimum 4.25 hours per week as a Childline counsellor, and receive a comprehensive training package.

Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk. Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.