NSPCC: Wales rugby legend’s support helps appeal hit £2m landmark

Wales rugby legend’s support helps NSPCC appeal hit £2m landmark

• Sam Warburton helps NSPCC Cymru / Wales hit fundraising milestone
• Services benefiting from the appeal include Childline, which undertook more than 8,800 counselling sessions with children from Wales in 2016/17

Wales rugby legend Sam Warburton has helped an NSPCC Cymru/Wales appeal hit an incredible £2million landmark.

The former British and Irish Lions, Wales and Cardiff Blues star, who announced his retirement from the sport last week, recently joined the NSPCC at his old primary school to teach pupils the importance of staying safe.

Working with specially trained volunteers at LlanishenFach in Cardiff, Sam helped to equip pupils with the skills they need to recognise abuse and speak out about it.

He will also continue to raise funds for the NSPCC during the remainder of his testimonial year. Several charities will benefit from a number of events during 2018-19 but the 74 times Wales-capped flanker has selected NSPCC Cymru/Wales as his main beneficiary. The funds will support the charity’s Wales Appeal Board.

With the NSPCC almost entirely dependent upon the generosity of the public to run its vital services, the Board is bidding to raise £3million over three years so it can continue to help thousands of children and families.

Speaking ahead of the launch of his testimonial year, Sam said:

“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.”

Speak Out, Stay Safe aims to visit every primary school once every two years. Volunteers deliver special assemblies and workshops to pupils and discuss how they can keep themselves safe from abuse and neglect. Sam Warburton’s support for the service follows similar recent visits by other current and former Welsh rugby players including Gethin Jenkins, Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin and Rob Howley. Each has offered similar assistance to NSPCC volunteers at schools in Beddau, Newport, Pontypridd, Tenby and Bridgend.

Other services benefitting from the charity’s fundraising include Childline – which undertook more than 8,800 counselling sessions with children from Wales in 2016/17 – and Protect and Respect, which helps children and young people who are deemed to be at risk from grooming and other forms of child sexual exploitation. That service is delivered at the charity’s three service centres in Cardiff, Prestatyn and Swansea.

Support in North Wales from Coleg Cambria has also helped the NSPCC’s Appeal Board meet its significant landmark. As part of an ongoing fundraising partnership with the charity, CEO David Jones and his wife last month trekked cross-country to all five of Coleg Cambria’s campuses. They walked 48 miles in 14 hours and raised an incredible £9,000 – and counting.

And Vale of Glamorgan MP, Alun Cairns, donated more than £5,000 after running the London Marathon in aid of the NSPCC in April.

Other recent events have included the Snowdon Moonlight Challenge, an overnight trek which raised more than £50,000. 29 cadets and leaders from Gwent & Powys and Dyfed & Glamorgan Army Cadet Force Wales raised £13,000 alone.

Welsh businessman Alan Peterson is the NSPCC’s Wales Appeal Board Chairman.

He said: “Raising £2million is an incredible achievement and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part.

“We are absolutely committed to fighting child abuse across Wales and this programme of fundraising work has a long way to go yet.

“My family and I have a long history of supporting the NSPCC and there’s never been a more important time to ensure we do all we can for this hugely important cause.”

Head of NSPCC Cymru / Wales, Des Mannion, said: “This hugely welcome appeal is helping the NSPCC continue its fight for every childhood in Wales. From answering calls at Childline to visiting schools and speaking to young pupils, every penny helps us protect children.

“We rely on donations and the good will of communities in making that happen and I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part in this appeal so far.”