The NSPCC’s 2011 Letter from Santa fundraising campaign is off to a festive start and can now be ordered.
Each year the charity helps to spread some extra Christmas magic to local children by arranging for them to receive a personalised letter from Santa. For a suggested donation of £5 a family member or friend can nominate a child or newborn baby to receive the special letter in time for Christmas.
Last year, nearly 12,000 letters were sent to children in Wales, helping to raise an incredible £1.3 million for the NSPCC. This year, with the help of local people, the charity is hoping to make even more children smile by sending out more letters and raising money to support local vulnerable children through its projects and services, including ChildLine.
NSPCC community fundraising manager, Jo Leonard said: “Christmas is a great time of year full of anticipation and excitement, especially for children. Parents, carers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends can make it even more magical by arranging for their child to receive a personalised letter from Santa. And by making the suggested donation of £5 you can spread the magic even further and help support the NSPCC and ChildLine.”
In December 2010 ChildLine counsellors answered 50,700 contacts from children and young people via telephone, email and 1-2-1 chats, 1140 of which were dealt with by volunteers at ChildLine bases in Wales. The main issues that young people contacted the service about during December were family relationship issues (14 per cent), bullying (ten per cent) and physical abuse (six per cent).
The ChildLine service is available for young people 365 days a year. Last December when lots of children were excitedly getting ready for Christmas and looking forward to the holidays, there were many others that contacted ChildLine to talk about issues ranging from family relationships, bullying and abuse.
Jo continued: “This is why, in ChildLine’s 25th Anniversary year, we are aiming to raise £1.6 million through Letter from Santa to help make sure we can continue to be there for all children and young people whenever and however they need us.”
To arrange for a child or newborn baby to receive a personalised letter from Santa in time for Christmas people can visit www.nspcc.org.uk/santa or telephone 0845 839 9304. Orders can be received until 16 December and letters will be sent out between 28 November and 19 December.
This years Letter from Santa campaign is being supported by Heart FM. Order leaflets can also be found in a range of stores including SPAR, Debenhams, Thorntons, Matalan and Rowlands Pharmacy.
