NSPCC

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. They have been directly involved in protecting the interests and the welfare of children and campaigning on their behalf since 1984. Their work to end the suffering includes 180 community-based teams and projects throughout most of the UK, a free 24-hour Child Protection Helpline that provides information, advice and counselling to anyone concerned about a child's safety. This includes bilingual helplines for the welsh, 5 different Asian language helplines and a textphone service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Public education campaigns, to increase the awareness and understanding of child abuse so to help provide support and advice on positive parenting, Child protection advice and training for organisations involved in the care, protection and education of children and Fundraising through individual and corporate supporters, which provides an incredible 85% of the money needed to fund their work to end child cruelty.

Founded in 1884 as the London Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children by the Reverend Benjamin Waugh, the NSPCC is the only UK childrens charity with powers that enables them to take actions to protect children at risk of abuse. Their mission is to end all cruelty to children, with a hope that one day, society will love and value all children and help them to fulfil their true potential. Basically they want a society that will not tolerate child abuse, whether sexual, physical, emotional or neglect.

The NSPCC's objectives are based on the UN Convention of the Rights of a Child. These are:

• Children must be protected from all forms of violence and exploitation.
• Everyone has a responsibility to support the care and protection of children.
• To listen to children and young people, respect their views and respond to them directly.
• Children should be encouraged and enabled to fulfil their potential.
• To challenge inequalities for children and young people.

The organisation employs around 1,800 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Within their 180 child protection teams there are five divisions; three in England, one in Wales and one covering Northern Ireland. Their work is funded by raising money through their national network of 200 Community Appeals branches and by their central fundraising departments. They have also got 17,000 Community Appeals Volunteers, who are vital to the success of their fundraising efforts. They urgently need more money to fund the national child protection network. Those teams and their projects carry out vital work to protect children in every area of their lives; at home, at shcool and within the community. This work could not ever exist without their supporters. Together, these supporters and staff give 85% of the money needed to fund any of these projects.

To find out how you can help donate to The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, click here.