Volunteer appeal for NSPCC Childhood Day

IT is a shocking fact, but it is estimated that one in five children in the UK has suffered the horrors of abuse or neglect.

It doesn’t have to be this way, and we are calling on the people of Northern Ireland to help us.

The NSPCC’s second Childhood Day is taking place on June 1.

It is a day for us to stand together in Northern Ireland for every childhood and against abuse.

Every day the NSPCC in Northern Ireland is helping children.

Last year, our Speak Out Stay Safe programme reached more than 67,000 local primary school children.

Our centres in Belfast, Foyle and Craigavon worked directly with 500 children and families, and our trained volunteer counsellors at our Childline bases in Belfast and Foyle delivered 38,285 counselling sessions to children in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

However, we urgently need to be there for even more children and young people.

During May, we are asking people across Northern Ireland to stand with us and support our Childhood Day campaign, and there are simple ways you can get involved.

Volunteer by joining our team of volunteers on dates throughout May and take to the streets to collect donations.

Get together with friends, family, or in your workplace and organise a fundraising event.

Get a Childhood Day badge and wear it on June 1 to show your support.

For further information on how you can support this campaign, visit www.nspcc. org.uk/childhoodday.

You can also contact the NSPCC Northern Ireland team at northernirelandappeals@nspcc.org.uk, or 028 9035 1135.

CATHERINE NUTTALL NSPCC (NI)