Local businesses raise £30,000 to help Childline counsel children and young people

• Childline Club Cymru hits £30,000 milestone thanks to businesses in Wales
• Fundraising initiative gives like-minded businesses chance to help kids get support

The NSPCC’s Childline service has received a £30,000 cash injection – enough to fund the entire service for a day – thanks to the support from businesses in Wales for the charity’s new fundraising initiative.

The child protection charity launched Childline Club Cymru in April, endorsed by its first Wales Ambassador for Childhood – Sam Warburton OBE, and it’s raised tens of thousands of pounds in the last six months.

Childline Club Cymru gives businesses and individuals across the country an opportunity to help support children and young people across Wales by helping to fund the charity’s Childline service.

Childline has 12 bases across the UK, including two in Wales, with trained counsellors listening to children and young people around the clock about their worries and concerns.

Former Lions captain and father-of-two, Sam Warburton, has been rallying businesses and individuals across Wales to get involved in Childline Club Cymru, to help Childline reach every child who needs support.

Mental and emotional health has been the top concern for children and young people since the start of the pandemic – with many contacting Childline because they don’t feel able to talk to anyone else.

NSPCC Divisional Vice President for Wales, Hywel Peterson says: “The response to our Childline Club Cymru fundraising initiative has been fantastic. Despite a difficult year for many businesses, it’s wonderful that they are still choosing to help fund the NSPCC’s Childline service, recognising the important role it plays in the lives of so many children and young people when they have nowhere else to turn.

“We want to keep the momentum going now and invite other like-minded businesses and individuals to play a part in making sure Childline can answer as many contacts from children and young people as possible because every child deserves to be listened to and feel safe.”

The NSPCC relies on public donations for 90% of its income.

• £400 could pay for trained volunteers to answer 100 children’s calls for help to Childline
• £1,250 could pay to run Childline for one hour
• £2,000 could pay to train a volunteer and to answer 100 children’s calls for help to Childline

NSPCC Wales/Cymru Wales Ambassador for Childhood, Sam Warburton says: “To have reached £30,000 in six months is a huge milestone, and it’s been possible because of the support of business leaders across Wales who want to do their bit to help support children.

“Childline provides a real lifeline to so many children and young people across Wales – it’s a place for them to get information and advice but also somewhere they can go where they know they will be listened to without judgment.

“Before the pandemic, a child contacted Childline every 20 seconds and I think it’s so important we make sure this service is well-funded so it can continue to provide that safe, supportive and confidential space for them.”

For more information on Childline Club Cymru and how to get involved contact Rosey Stonehouse via Rosalie.stonehouse2@nspcc.org.uk or 029 2167 1569.  Businesses and individuals that sign up to the giving club receive a certificate and the chance to visit a Childline base when it is safe to do so.

Children can contact Childline 24/7 on 0800 11 11 or via  childline.org.uk where 1-2-1 online chats can be requested. 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.