Christmas can be hard for vulnerable children

ON average, two children a minute contact Childline. For these children, Christmas can be the worst time of the year.

Every day, our Childline counsellors hear stories of abuse, neglect, self-harm, and anxiety, things no child should have to deal with. These contacts don’t stop on Christmas Day.

Children still need help and support on what should be the most magical day of the year.

Whatever a child is facing at Christmas, Childline is here for them. But we can’t do it alone. The

NSPCC relies on public donations for the majority of its income, which is why this Christmas we’re calling on people in Surrey to support the

NSPCC and Childline to ensure we can be there for children whenever they need us. There are so many ways people can get involved and support the NSPCC this festive season. Our Walk for Children fundraiser is taking place on Wednesday, December 21.

Whether people walk alone or in a group, everybody’s invited to join the 5K walk during the longest night of the year.

We’re asking local buildings to light up green that night, so people can plan their walks around a landmark in their area and to share any photos using #WalkforChildren.

Readers can sign up for Walk for Children and see a list of local participating landmarks by searching ‘Walk for Children’ on the

NSPCC website.

People can also order an NSPCC Letter from Santa to bring some Christmas magic to the little ones in your life. Every donation for an

NSPCC Letter from Santa will go towards Childline. Readers can find out more by visiting letterfromsanta.nspcc.org.uk.

For more information about Walk for Children, go to https://www. nspcc.org.uk/charity-events/ charity-treks-ultrachallenges/walkfor-children/

Freya Hollingsworth NSPCC Community Fundraising