NSPCC’s WALES FUNDRAISING CHAIRMAN RECEIVES OBE IN NEW YEAR’S HONOURS

• Alan Peterson is Chairman of NSPCC Cymru/Wales’ Appeal Board, which is on course to raise £3million over three years
• The Welsh businessman has received an OBE for services to charitable fundraising in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours

NSPCC Cymru/Wales Appeal Board Chairman, Alan Peterson, has reaffirmed his commitment to the charity’s fight for every childhood after receiving an OBE in the New Year’s Honours.

Alan, who took up his role with the NSPCC in 2016, has fought tirelessly for children and young people for many years and received the honour for services to charitable fundraising in Wales.

A leading businessman who has held senior roles in companies across the UK, Europe and North America, Alan is also Honorary Colonel of Army Cadets Wales.

Under his leadership, the NSPCC’s Wales Appeal Board is on course to raise almost £3 million over three years.

Some of the successful events organised by the Appeal Board include a family race day attended by more than 2,500 people at Ffos Las, a dinner at Coleg Cambria in Connah’s Quay and a rugby lunch at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

NSPCC Cymru / Wales Appeal Board Chairman, Alan Peterson, said:

“The NSPCC’s fight for every childhood is a cause very close to my heart. This incredible personal honour also reflects the hard work that has taken place by the NSPCC in Wales, my Appeal Board, and its many supporters – both individual and corporate.

“Neglect and abuse continue to blight the lives of too many children in Wales and the NSPCC is committed to doing all it can to help, support and raise awareness. ChildLine, our Schools Service and the centres in Prestatyn, Swansea and Cardiff are at the heart of this effort, with the most wonderful teams of volunteers and professional staff.

“Our appeal continues to raise a significant amount of money which will help the charity continue to deliver its critical services.

“There has never been a more important time to ensure we do all we can for this vital cause.”

Among the NSPCC services benefitting from the work of the Appeal Board is Speak Out, Stay Safe which aims to visit every Welsh primary school once every two years so specially-trained volunteers can deliver assemblies and workshops to help pupils learn how to keep themselves safe from abuse and neglect. More than 450 primaries were visited in the last academic year, reaching nearly 75,000 pupils.

Welsh rugby legends past and present, including Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins, Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin and Rob Howley have all helped NSPCC volunteers deliver the assemblies in the last two years.

Other services benefitting from the money raised by Alan and the Wales Appeal Board include Childline – which undertook more than 8,300 counselling sessions with children from Wales in 2017/18 – 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 bases in Cardiff, Prestatyn and Swansea.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said:

“Alan’s commitment to the NSPCC and to child protection is truly exceptional and, on behalf of our charity, I would like to thank him for his continuing hard work and congratulate him on this deserved honour.

“From funding our innovative schools service to supporting our dedicated Childline counsellors, the money raised by the Wales Appeal Board makes an enormous contribution to our fight for every childhood.”

More details on the NSPCC’s work in Wales can be read here.

To make a donation to the NSPCC, visit here.