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Sangs, Haivers and £8,500 for Childline HF
Developments recent Burns Celebration at Strathclyde Business Park's Avondale
Bar & Grill, has raised £8,500 for the NSPCC's ChildLine service in
Scotland. 120 of Lanarkshire's business men and women gathered for an evening
of tributes in verse, music and song to Scotland's most famous Bard. A memorable
evening was had by all, with guests enjoying whiskies supplied by Park occupier
William Grants and Sons, a sumptuous Bill O'Faire and superb entertainment.
The
NSPCC's ChildLine service is the free 24 hour helpline for children and young
people who are worried about any issue. Last year, 27,000 young people spoke to
a ChildLine in Scotland volunteer counsellor about concerns, ranging from bullying
and family relationship problems to sexual and physical abuse. Many children tried
to call several times before they got through. To help answer more of these cries
for help, the NSPCC launched the Child's Voice Appeal in September 2008.
The
£24.3 million already raised through the Child's Voice Appeal has enabled
the charity to open new bases and recruit more staff and volunteers to help protect
children. Since the Appeal launched, ChildLine has counselled over 1 million calls,
helping children through their worries, and enabled live, online counselling through
ChildLine.org.uk for the very first time.
Despite the successes, The
NSPCC still urgently needs to continue to raise funds to allow us to develop the
services even further.
Elaine Bailey from the NSPCC attended the evening
and explained "In the year since the Child's Voice appeal launched, the fantastic
support of both individual members of the public as well as companies has raised
£24.3 million. These donations are already making a huge difference in enabling
the NSPCC to help answer even more cries for help. Every penny raised will help
us make a vital difference to vulnerable children across Scotland and the UK.
For example, the fabulous contribution raised by HF Developments could help us
answer another 2,500 calls, or to recruit and train 6 new volunteer ChildLine
counsellors, who in their first year will each be able to help up to 200 children
through their worries and distress."
William Hill, managing director
of HF Developments, said "We were delighted to be able to contribute in our
small way to help ChildLine, which is relied upon by so many of Scotland's children.
We applaud the work done daily by volunteer counsellors across the country in
maintaining this vital service.
"Our heartfelt thanks go to them,
and to all those who have joined with us in supporting this worthy cause".
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