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Stars offer heartfelt lockdown ‘thank you’ to Childline volunteers

Stars offer heartfelt lockdown ‘thank you’ to Childline volunteers

Date: 9th June 2020 | By: national

Volunteers from NSPCC Cymru across Wales, one of our key partner charities, were surprised during Volunteers Week (June 1-7) with messages of thanks from celebrities impressed by their resilience during lockdown enabling the charity to still be here for children.

Stars from Wales Rugby recorded video messages of thanks, whilst Only Men Aloud recorded a song during lockdown to thank volunteers helping to provide a vital lifeline for young people.

Childline volunteers continue to support children and young people struggling to cope with the substantial problems the Coronavirus pandemic has presented, whilst the charity’s fundraising volunteers have pushed hard to help bridge a funding shortfall.

More than half of all counselling sessions delivered by Childline volunteers to children in Wales during April related to mental health, suicidal thoughts and feelings and self-harm.

The eight members of Only Men Aloud made home recordings of the Jess Glynne hit ‘I’ll be there’, creating a video for NSPCC Cymru volunteers.

Baritone Craig Yates said: “Through this Coronavirus pandemic, we were made aware that Childline had experienced an increased demand for its service.

“The Childline supervisors and volunteer counsellors have all been working continually, with a reduced workforce, to be there when children and young people in Wales need them most.

“We thought the words of this Jess Glynne song sum up perfectly what these incredible people feel for those most vulnerable, and from all of us in Only Men Aloud we wanted to give a huge thank you to them for everything they do and have done through this time.”

The popular octet has been generous in its support of the children’s charity, raising over £35,000 for its Wales Appeal in 2018 and 2019 when it championed NSPCC as its Charity of the Year.

Hywel Peterson, Divisional Vice President for NCPCC Cymru said: “We are so grateful for all the support Only Men Aloud has given to the NSPCC over the last two years, culminating in this video to thank all our volunteers who work tirelessly and give up their own time to ensure that the NSPCC can deliver services to children to keep them safe from harm.”

Singer Lucie Jones and Wales Rugby stars Martyn Williams, Sam Warburton, Jamie Roberts and Ryan Jones have also publicly thanked the charity’s volunteers in Wales, recording video messages of support.

Hywel added: “Our volunteers at Childline have heard from children and young people finding it hard to cope behind closed doors with a range of additional emotions such as fear and anxiety on top of every day stresses such as school work and friendships.

“Our volunteers continue to be here for children when they need it most and it’s lovely that our high-profile supporters are recognising their invaluable service to young people in such a heartfelt way.”

The NSPCC relies on public support for 90% of its funding and has launched a 'We're still here for children' emergency appeal to raise vital funds to support children and families across the UK.