Champion children this Christmas
Partner with BEF and the NSPCC to support children.
Following our CEO’s London marathon fundraiser for NSPCC, we have had the pleasure of building an even closer relationship with NSPCC and finding out about their work right here in the region.
Leeds is home to one of several Childline contact bases across the UK.
In 2022/23, Childline received over 700,000 calls, emails and online chat messages. From these contacts, Childline delivered almost 200,000 in-depth counselling sessions to children and young people and it’s estimated that 23,600 of these were from children and young people in Yorkshire, the Humber and the North East.
We met Leeds Childline Manager Charlotte and volunteer Sally on a recent visit to NSPCC’s regional Hub in Leeds. They led an open and very moving discussion about the calls and messages they receive, that include issues like sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, mental health and family relationships.
On average, a child will contact Childline by phone or web chat every 45 seconds this Christmas. It costs £4 to pay for one of our trained volunteer counsellors to answer a child's call for help.
We are asking your business to help the NSPCC answer:
- 25 calls for help from children by donating or raising £100
- 75 calls for help from children by donating or raising £300
- 100 for help from children calls by donating or raising £400
Click here to start your fundraiser. Or, if you’d simply like to make a one off donation, please click here.
Children need us now more than ever
The cost-of-living crisis is being felt across the country. And we know that children are feeling it too. It’s estimated that one fourth of children in the UK live in poverty1. Poverty puts enormous stress on families which can leave children at risk of harm. Calls to our Childline service have already shown that children and young people are well aware of the strain that the cost of living is having on their parents and carers. That's why we're here to listen to their worries and provide crucial support.
Whilst you are working hard to create economic prosperity in our region, we also need children to thrive because like you, they will be our next generation of business owners and employees. This is why we are asking you to get behind our simple Christmas fundraiser for NSPCC. As a collective, we can be there for children this Christmas."
Stephen Waud, CEO at BEF
Get Involved
When many other services are closed to children, our Childline volunteers will work every single day and night to answer life-saving calls. Childline is a lifeline for children experiencing abuse at Christmas.
Here’s some simple fundraising ideas your workplace can organise, no matter how big or small your team is.
- Host a Christmas bake sale: involve your business neighbours and other office tenants
- Christmas jumper day: ask your staff, clients and customers to donate and take part
- Host a Christmas quiz and drinks evening, or raise money at your Christmas lunch or party
Click here to start your fundraiser. Or, if you’d simply like to make a one off donation, please click here.
Thank you so much for your support.
If you or anyone you know needs to reach the NSPCC over the festive period, or anytime,
Childline 0800 1111 NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000