Twenty strong Stagecoach Wales team complete fundraising walk to help protect children

• 22 co-workers complete sponsored walk in aid of child protection charity
• The NSPCC relies on public donations for 90% of its income

Work colleagues from Stagecoach Wales Porth Depot have teamed up to complete a 10-mile-long fundraising walk to raise money for the child protection charity, NSPCC Cymru/Wales.

The 20-strong team wanted to raise money for the children’s charity in light of the impact the pandemic restrictions have had on children and young people across Wales. It comes after their initial plans to fundraise for the charity were thwarted by the outbreak of the pandemic.

The fundraisers walked from Maerdy to Pontypridd, raising hundreds of pounds to help NSPCC Cymru/Wales in its work preventing child abuse, through services such as Childline, which is available 24/7.

Depot Supervisor for Stagecoach Wales in Porth, Andrea Kavanagh, organised the walk with her colleagues Allison Jones and Kevin Mathias.

She says: “It’s been such a difficult time for everyone of late and so it was really good for team morale to have everyone together again and brilliant to be able to raise so much money to help children and young people.

“The weather on the day was appalling, but 22 colleagues turned out to walk, raising money as they persevered on despite the rain. The team feels very proud to have raised money for such a worthy cause – we’ve already collected more than £300 in sponsorship money and expect the final total to be around £500, which is fantastic.”

Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Cymru/Wales, Emma Brennan says: “It was a true team effort from workers at Stagecoach Wales, raising money that will make a difference to the lives of children and young people.

“We rely on our supporters for 90% of our charity’s income and fundraisers, like the team at Stagecoach Wales, play a huge part – raising money for the NSPCC to help us continue our work keeping children safe and preventing abuse.

“Growing up isn’t easy – especially after the past couple of years. And no matter how strong and adaptable children are, stress can take a toll, so they shouldn’t have to cope alone.

“Our Childline service listens to and supports children, and is a safe space to turn to, whatever difficulties they face – big and small. Whatever life throws at them, we’re here to show children that they matter, that we understand, and they’re not alone.”

Cardiff is home to one of the UK’s 12 Childline bases, from where volunteer counsellors listen to children and young people who contact the service to speak to a trusted adult about anything that might be upsetting them.

As well as fundraising, the charity can be supported in other ways with volunteers playing a huge role in making the NSPCC’s child protection work possible. Childline Cardiff is in need of more volunteers and anyone keen to find out more can contact volunteerrecruitment@nspcc.org.uk. Successful applicants are asked to give a minimum 4.25 hours per week as a Childline counsellor, and receive a comprehensive training package.

Childline is available for children and young people 24/7 on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk. Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.