Inspirational film depicting the life of NSPCC ambassador David Tait to be shown at Cardiff cinema

After suffering abuse as a child, NSPCC ambassador and fundraiser David Tait is now set to see his story told across the country in a film based on his life.

Sulphur and White, which will be screened at Everyman Cardiff cinema on Monday 23 March, is a deeply personal insight into David’s extraordinary life.

The brutally honest yet inspiring film that tells a story of child sexual abuse, lasting trauma and eventual healing, is being released in cinemas this week, with 20% of ticket sales going to the children’s charity.

David, whose wife Vanessa has volunteered as a Childline counsellor for many years, said: “I backed Sulphur and White being made because I wanted people to understand the reality of child sexual abuse and the collateral damage it can cause. I also wanted to show people that there is redemption and a future.

“I’m hoping the film will encourage people with hidden pasts to talk about their own problems and it will give them comfort going forward.

“The NSPCC and Childline is such an incredibly important resource for children these days – that they can reach out for help and there is someone there to listen to them and support them.”

Childline is a free helpline service available to children and young people, whatever their worry, 24/7. It has 12 bases UK-wide, including two located in Wales. In 2018/19 Childline volunteers from bases in Prestatyn and Cardiff delivered more than 20,000 counselling sessions to children and young people from across the UK.

Children learn about the Childline number through the charity’s Schools Service programme, which is offered free of charge to every primary school.

In the last academic year, more than 80,000 children saw the NSPCC’s Speak out Stay safe programme across Wales, as the Schools Service team visited 436 primary schools across the country.

Childline Service Manager for Wales, Debs Davis says: “We know that Childline is a lifeline for so many children and young people who have been sexually abused. Our counsellors are sometimes the first people they have ever told about it. And many of them talk about having mental health issues, which are often triggered by the trauma of the abuse they have experienced.

“It is so important that people feel that if they speak out they will be listened to and believed, however much time has passed since the abuse happened. We hope that David’s story will give people the courage to do so, and that they will receive the support they need.

“We are also extremely grateful for David’s incredible support and fundraising feats for the charity.”

Since leaving his role as a city trader, David Tait has raised more than £1.5 million for the children’s charity by climbing Mount Everest on five occasions and was the first person to complete the North-South traverse. He was awarded an MBE by The Queen for his services to children.

He continues to be a significant figure for the NSPCC, speaking personally about his experiences to raise awareness and champion its work at events throughout of the UK.

Mark Stanley, who plays David on screen, said: “I hope that people watching Sulphur and White will gain some of the insight and understanding that I got from playing this part about the profound impact of child sexual abuse.

“I think the work that Childline counsellors do is invaluable – that children have somewhere to turn, where they will be listened to and not judged, at any time of day or night.”

Tickets can be purchased here.