As landmarks across the UK are set to light up green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC, the charity calls on the public to rally friends and family to take part in a Walk for Children.
Buildings and landmarks, including St Thomas’s church in Ryde, St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, and the ‘Lidl on Ice’ rink at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, will be going green on the night of 22nd December 2023 in support of the children’s charity and the help it provides young people in their darkest hours.
Sign up to walk
The NSPCC is calling on families and friends across the country to get together and sign up to walk 5k that night to raise vital funds for the charity and its Childline service, which will have counsellors on hand to answer calls from young people throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day.
Gemma Graves, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager for the Isle of Wight, said,
“We’re so grateful to all of the organisations lighting up their buildings green for the NSPCC.
“Our Childline service is expecting a child to contact them every 45 seconds this Christmas, and while it’s free for them to contact the service over the phone or internet, every counselling session costs the charity around £4.
“For children facing abuse, the winter nights are dark, long and lonely, and we want all children to know that Childline is here for them, even on the darkest nights. We rely on public donations for around 90% of our funding, and by joining us on 22nd December 2023 you can help Childline answer more life-changing calls.
“Whether you’re enjoying mulled wine and mince pies on the way around, wearing reindeer antlers, Santa hats or light-up accessories, or just pulling on your warmest coats and hats and enjoying the view, you’ll be helping Childline be a lifeline for children this Christmas.”
Childline service vitally important this Christmas
While children are at home for the holidays, they are cut off from other support systems, which means the Childline service is vitally important this Christmas.
Last Christmas, Childline delivered more than 1,000 high-risk counselling sessions, with 64 per cent of high-risk calls and web chats during that period coming in after dark. Childline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even over Christmas.
Walk for Children
Last year more than £100,000 was raised to help fund vital NSPCC services, like Childline, by people taking part in Walk for Children.
It costs £10 to sign up for Walk for Children and participants are asked to try and raise £100 to help fund the charity’s vital work and keep more children safe this Christmas. 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.
Get involved
To find out more or sign up for this year’s Walk for Children, visit the website – anyone who uses the promo code WALK25 will get a 25 per cent discount on their registration fee.
News shared by Sophie on behalf of NSPCC. Ed
