Devon residents urged to 'Get Your Sparkle On' to help keep children safe this Christmas

Workplaces, schools, families, and friendship groups across the region are being urged to ‘Get Your Sparkle On’ by the NSPCC this Christmas to help protect children for whom this time of year may not be so joyful.

1 in 5 children in the UK suffer abuse, and every year, specially-trained counsellors from Childline answer calls from children suffering their darkest hour.

Community Fundraising Manager for the NSPCC in Devon, Alison Armer said: “Sadly, 1 in 3 calls to Childline this Christmas will go unanswered, and this fundraising campaign aims to bring a light to every childhood.

“Our specially-trained counsellors speak to children and young people in their darkest hours every day of the year, even on Christmas Day, and £20 would help answer five calls to the Childline service.

“We rely on donations for 90% of our income, and with our ‘Get Your Sparkle On’ fundraiser, every sparkle, every sequin and every pound raised for the NSPCC helps protect children.”

Just £3 helps the NSPCC deliver its Speak Out Stay Safe programme to a primary school pupil to teach them how to recognise abuse and get help. A £90 donation will provide a special assembly to 30 primary school pupils, and £580 would help reach a whole school of children.

In the last academic year, across the county of Devon a total of 22,524 children were reached by the programme, with assemblies delivered at 122 schools.

The ‘Get Your Sparkle On’ fundraising initiative encourages the public to show their support for the children’s charity by organising sparkle-themed events on and around December 11. 

In a unique show of support, landmarks across the country have pledged to light up green to raise awareness of the NSPCC’s Christmas appeal.

Alison added: “We are grateful to all of the organisations supporting us this year, lighting up landmarks, to encourage people to get their sparkle on.

“It’s easy for anyone to take part in Get Your Sparkle On this December 11 – whether you’re just wearing a sparkly jumper, or organising a sparkling bake-off at work, every single penny raised will go towards helping children and young people get the help they need this Christmas.”

Get Your Sparkle On leads into the NSPCC’s Light for Every Childhood Christmas campaign.

To find out more about how to support the NSPCC this Christmas, contact Alison Armer via Alison.Armer@nspcc.org.uk or 07779341767, search #SparkleOn or go towww.nspcc.org.uk/christmas/get-your-sparkle-on for a free fundraising pack.