Kind-hearted volunteer who’s been raising NSPCC funds for almost 70 years prepares to Walk for Children this Christmas

• Aged 79, Sophia Drew continues to find ways to raise money for the children’s charity despite the pandemic
• Dedicated fundraiser plans to raise more money to help children this Christmas and inspire a new generation of volunteers
• Walk for Children is held on the longest night of the year to support the NSPCC

A passionate NSPCC volunteer in north Wales is preparing to Walk for Children this Christmas, having continued to find ways to fundraise for the children’s charity throughout the pandemic.

Sophia Drew, from Prestatyn, started supporting the NSPCC as a child in the early 1950s, collecting pennies with her older sister Isabel for the children whose fathers never returned home from World War II.

“Mum always had food to put on the table, but many children I went to school with often had only bread and jam for tea,” recalls Sophia.

“I believed the money we collected went to buy food for hungry children and thought this was the right thing to do. Years later I came to understand that work done by NSPCC covers more than just supplying food.”

Since then, Sophia has continued to raise money for the charity with Prestatyn Friends of the NSPCC and having celebrated her 79^th birthday recently, is preparing to join in the charity’s Walk for Children fundraising event on December 21.

Sophia says: “For children facing abuse, the days are hard, but the long winter nights can be the longest, loneliest hours of all, which is why the walk is held on the longest night of the year.

“I will be taking part in the Walk for Children because I want to inspire a new generation of volunteers to get involved in this wonderful charity. And, every pound I raise will help the NSPCC continue running its direct services and helplines like Childline, which has continued to be a pillar of support for children and young people since the outbreak of COVID-19.”

Childline has a base in Prestatyn, and it is from the NSPCC’s North Wales Service Centre in the town that it also offers direct services to support children who have been sexually abused, help keep children safe online, and provide help to children in care.

Over the years, fundraising has been carried out by Prestatyn Friends with enthusiasm, enjoyment and hard work, with coffee mornings, afternoon teas, musical soirees, frugal lunches and sponsored walks among the events that have kept the group in touch.

During the Christmas season in years gone by, Prestatyn Friends has fundraised with a local Christmas tree festival and a successful fundraising Christmas dinner that took place for more than 16 years.

Sophia said: “Despite lockdown, we have kept in touch a little by phone. During the pandemic, we haven’t been able to host our usual events four our loyal supporters, but instead I have carried out a sponsored walk raising £360 and Prestatyn Friends of NSPCC managed to secure a grant of £250 from Prestatyn Town Council.

“People stop me in the street to ask when is our next event, which will have to be in 2021 though most of the committee are over 80 and it would be lovely to see new young people coming forward.”

The NSPCC is encouraging families to take part in its Walk for Children charity fundraiser to help raise money so that it can still be here for children and young people in their darkest times.

Supporter Fundraising Manager Jess Finnegan says: “December 21 is the longest night of the year and fundraisers and families up and down the country will be walking 5km – either outdoors in accordance with local guidelines, or virtually – to support the NSPCC.

“Children need to know that we’re here for them, even on the darkest days, which is why we’d love people to join us and walk for every childhood.

“If that date’s not good for you, you can do it whenever suits, and if you’d prefer to jog or run rather than walk, that’s fine too – you could even slip on a festive costume, if you’re feeling particularly Christmassy!”

To find out more about how you can get involved in the NSPCC’s Walk for Children and sign up this December visit the charity’s website.

Anyone interested in volunteering for NSPCC Cymru can contact Jess Finnegan via jess.finnegan@nspcc.org.uk, 07976065258 or 01745 77518

Children can call Childline on 0800 11 11 from 7.30am to midnight from Monday to Friday or 9am to midnight on weekends. Or they can get in touch via www.childline.org.uk. 

Anyone with any concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit nspcc.org.uk for advice