first direct in new role to raise £1million for ChildLine
Alison Leonard, first direct's Head of Digital Solutions, has taken the newly created position "Chair of the Regional Child's Voice Appeal Board North", which will see her working to secure funding from sources within the Yorkshire and North East area to support the development of the NSPCC's helpline services.
The new voluntary role has been created to work towards the overall Child's Voice Appeal fundraising target which aims to raise £50 million in addition to the funds the government has given the charity. The Board's task is to raise £1 million towards this figure and open new doors for support in the area which will make a huge difference to children's lives.
Major Gifts will be the priority, targeting individuals, trusts, and companies to raise £1million by April 2011 to help fund the ChildLine base on High Court, Leeds, ensuring children and young people are able to contact the service 24 hours a day / 7 days week, via SMS text, online and phone.
Alison will chair the appeal until April 2011 in which time she will have provided leadership and direction for the board and used her contacts to engage and enlist potential donors in order to achieve the £1million target.
This initiative is a personal challenge for Alison which goes above and beyond first direct's partnership with ChildLine and their pledge to raise £2million for the NSPCC's Child's Voice appeal by 2011.
Alison commented: "It's going to be a great challenge, I feel so passionately about the work first direct do with the NSPCC and I wanted to help in my own way.
"The target is a stretch, but with the support of generous people from the region I'm sure we'll be able to reach our goal."
Paula Guanaria, Head of Local Fundraising North for the NSPCC commented: "To run a successful appeal on behalf of the children and young people in Yorkshire and North East we need the most inspirational people. Having met Alison I'm sure that she's the perfect choice to take on this challenging and rewarding role."