NSPCC Northern Ireland is asking people across Northern Ireland to ‘Walk for Children’ next month to raise vital funds for the children’s charity.
The charity is encouraging people to take part in a 5k walk with friends and family to help raise money for children facing abuse and neglect across Northern Ireland.
This year’s walk will take place on 22nd December – the longest night of the year – because for children facing abuse, every night can feel like the longest.
And whilst participants are encouraged to take part on the longest night, they can do the walk (on their own or in a group) on any day in December.
Money raised will help fund NSPCC services, including Childline, which is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year — even Christmas Day.
Last Christmas, Childline delivered more than 1,000 high-risk counselling sessions across the UK, with 64% of high-risk calls and web chats during that period coming in after dark.
It costs £10 to sign up for Walk for Children and participants are asked to try and raise £100, which could pay to answer 25 children’s calls for help to Childline.
Everyone who signs up will receive a fundraising pack with everything needed to plan a walk, resources to use on the day, and an NSPCC t-shirt.
To find out more or sign up for this year’s Walk for Children, click here or go to www.nspcc.org.uk and search ‘WALK FOR CHILDREN’ – anyone who uses the promo code ‘WALK25’ will get a 25% discount on their registration fee.
By raising funds through Walk for Children, people can help the charity be here for every child who needs help this festive season.
Stefani Mearns, supporter fundraising manager for NSPCC Northern Ireland, said: “Christmas is such a bright and cheery time of the year. However, sadly for some children it can be a lonely and dark time, and this is why we are asking people to brave the cold on the longest night of the year, and ‘Walk for Children’.
“All the money raised will go towards our crucial services, including our 24/7 Childline Service, our therapeutic services for children and families, our Speak Out, Stay Safe programme in schools and our Young Witness Service, supporting child victims and witnesses across the court system in Northern Ireland. No matter when or how far you walk, whatever way you decide to do it, the money you raise will ensure we can be there for children when they need us the most.”
Also on 22 December, landmarks across Northern Ireland will turn green in aid of the NSPCC. A full list of buildings ‘going green’ can be found on: www.nspcc.org.uk (search for Light Ups).
Anyone taking part in Walk for Children who happens to pass one of these landmarks, can share it with NSPCC NI on social media using #WalkforChildren and tagging: Twitter: @nspccni (Twitter/X) @nspccnorthernireland (Facebook) @nspccni (Instagram).
*To sign up to Walk for Children, visit http://www.nspcc.org.uk/walkforchildren
If you can’t complete a walk but would like to donate to NSPCC, visit http://www.nspcc.org.uk/donate