Principality raise thousands to help vulnerable children in Wales

Childline volunteers in Wales will be able to help more children in distress and danger in the next year, thanks to Wales' largest building society.

Staff at Principality Building Society nominated NSPCC Cymru/Wales as their Charity of the Year in 2008, and raised an incredible £45,646 through a variety of fundraising events, from baking cakes to climbing the three highest peaks in Wales.

This week, Principality Building Society staff visited the NSPCC service - ChildLine based in Swansea to see how some of the money will be spent.

Children and young people typically call the free, 24-hour confidential helpline to talk about problems they face such as bullying, family relationships, emotional and physical problems. Every time a child plucks up the courage to make a call, it costs the children's charity £4. Last year, ChildLine in South Wales had first time contact with 10,251 children and young people, and provided a total of 10,093 counselling hours.

Principality's donation would cover the cost of 11,000 calls to the vital helpline. Alternatively it would pay for NSPCC Cymru/Wales to recruit and train 28 new counsellors - with each volunteer handling around 200 calls a year, this means an extra 5,600 children would have their calls for help answered.

Nigel Impey, head of local fundraising Wales said: "The amount raised by Principality is phenomenal. It really will help us carry out the vital work we undertake to end cruelty to children. This includes the direct services we provide to children and families across Wales, including ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline, as well as our campaigning work to contribute to changes in the law. Child abuse is very much a local issue and something that has an impact on all communities, therefore the need for funds is as critical as ever.

"Principality's management, staff and customers right across Wales have really taken fundraising for the NSPCC seriously and demonstrated such passion - the result of which speaks for itself. We are extremely grateful to Principality for choosing to adopt NSPCC Cymru/Wales in 2008. This donation marks another step in a long standing relationship between NSPCC and Principality which stretches over many years."

Rhian Davis, Manager of Swansea Principality Building Society, said: "It was great to meet the ChildLine volunteers and staff, and hear how the money we raised will make a real difference to children and young people across Wales.

"Over the last year we have been committed to helping the charity put a full stop to child cruelty. Record numbers of staff participated in the voting process to choose NSPCC Cymru/Wales and everyone got involved with the fundraising throughout the year. We are delighted to be handing over such a healthy sum today."