Mar 10 - Childline Blue Week Aims to Raise Funds for Continued Service
Childline’s annual week of raising awareness and funds takes place from the 16-20 March 2015 and this year the charity is asking companies to become more involved with their work through corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) initiatives.
Commenting on the initiative, a spokesperson for Childline remarked, 'We have already formed excellent corporate relationships with several local companies in Gibraltar through their CSR programmes, notably Bassadone , PWC and Gamma Concepts and this has been of immense benefit to everyone involved. We are now hoping to roll out this initiative and would like to meet with other companies to discuss ways they could support us through pro-bono voluntary work and/or fundraising initiatives. As a charity whose services are completely funded through private donations we have to outsource expertise in many areas where we need additional support, such as marketing, HR, design work, copywriting, and daytime volunteers for our Appropriate Adult Service'.
Childline Gibraltar began operating in Gibraltar in 2006 and is coming up for its 9th anniversary. Initially, the charity only offered a Telephone Helpline Service but this core service has now expanded significantly, and in response to local needs. The charity still offers the Helpline as one of its core services open daily from 5pm-9pm, but now also offers a 24/7 online service, an email service, an early-intervention Education Programme and an Appropriate Adult Service for the Royal Gibraltar Police and HM Customs.
'Blue Week provides us with an excellent opportunity to visit as many schools, youth/sports organisations and companies as we can to raise awareness about the important work we do in the community and show them the impact we are having. We are very grateful to everyone who has offered to hold their own “Blue Day” to promote Childline,' a spokesperson continued.
The charity’s statistics, recently published in their Annual Report, demonstrate there are still many children suffering in Gibraltar who need some help. Over 600 contacts were made to the charity during 2013/14 – an average of about 50 per month, and half of these people needed to be referred on to other agencies for additional assistance or support.
Highlights this year include the Blue Week Quiz on Thursday 19th March at the Royal Calpe, always a popular event, and the sale of official Childline Blue T-shirts at £5 each (adult and children’s sizes available).
Childline is appealing for support during Blue Week this month and asks anyone who would like to get involved with their work to contact them on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via their Facebook page.
