WALES RUGBY STAR WARBURTON SUPPORTS NSPCC DURING TESTIMONIAL YEAR

British and Irish Lions, Wales and Cardiff Blues rugby star Sam Warburton has chosen NSPCC Cymru/Wales as the main charity beneficiary of his testimonial year.

Due to commence from 1 April, the year 2018-19 will feature a number of sporting and fundraising events held across Wales and in London to celebrate 29-year-old Sam’s outstanding career.

Several charities will benefit from money raised throughout the testimonial season, but the 74 times Wales-capped flanker has selected NSPCC Cymru/Wales as the main charity to benefit.

Sam, who has captained Wales more than any other player, has already been involved in some of the work the NSPCC does in Wales to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

He recently returned to his old primary school, Llanishen Fach in Cardiff, to help the leading children’s charity deliver one of its innovative Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies before taking part in a question and answer session with children.

Sam has also visited the NSPCC’s service centre in Cardiff to learn first-hand about some of the specialist programmes delivered by the charity and he has also supported NSPCC Cymru/Wales’ new campaign, Take 5, which promotes positive parenting.

Sam said:

“I’m flattered that I’m being supported in my testimonial year by the Cardiff Blues and Welsh Rugby Union and for me it was pretty much a no-brainer to pick the NSPCC as my main charity.

“I recently visited my old primary school in Cardiff and it was great to see volunteers from the charity deliver their Speak Out Stay Safe message. It taught the children that it’s ok to speak out if they are suffering neglect or abuse and I could see the kids were listening intently.

“It’s great to see the reach that the charity has already had in schools right across Wales, giving young people the confidence to speak out if they need to.

“I’m delighted that money raised through my testimonial year will be used to help the NSPCC to deliver its vital work. For me, it’s a privilege to select NSPCC as my main charity.

“As a Dad, now knowing more about the NSPCC, I can’t bear to think of anything happening to my little girl. That’s why I’m helping the NSPCC prevent abuse”

In Wales, the NSPCC’s dedicated staff and volunteers deliver a wide range of programmes and services targeted at keeping children safe from abuse and neglect and helping those who have suffered it.

The NSPCC aims to reach every single primary school in Wales with its Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies, speaking to nearly 70,000 pupils and visiting 520 schools in Wales in the 2016/17 school year alone.

Childline, which has bases in Cardiff and Prestatyn, provides 24/7 support to children online and over the phone. The service provided counselling sessions to 8,853 children from Wales in 2016/17.

And the NSPCC’s three Welsh centres in Cardiff, Swansea and Prestatyn provide direct help to children who badly need it, including specialist counselling for children and young people who have been the victims of sexual abuse.

Alan Peterson, chair of the NSPCC’s Wales Appeal Board, added:

“We are incredibly grateful to Sam for choosing NSPCC Cymru as his lead testimonial year charity. His generous contribution will make a significant impact on our capacity to teach more children about all forms of abuse, recognising how to spot it, how to protect themselves, and where to go for help.

“That’s an invaluable contribution and for that we thank Sam and everyone who supports his testimonial year.”

Head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales, Des Mannion, added:

“The NSPCC is fighting for every childhood in Wales and we’re delighted that someone of Sam’s stature has chosen us as his main charity to benefit from his much-deserved testimonial year.

“Sam’s contribution will make a huge difference to children in Wales and we thank him for his support.”

For more information about Sam Warburton’s testimonial year see: http://samwarburtontestimonial.com/