NSPCC Walk For Children Is Tomorrow - Sign Up Now!

Brighton's i360 and Lancing College will light up green for the NSPCC's Walk For Children tomorrow as staff and the public walk 5k to support the charity.

It's not too late to sign up - you have until midnight tonight to register on the NSPCC website for a £10 registration fee. 

With December 21st being the longest night of the year, landmarks across the UK will light up green in support of the charity.

In Sussex, Brighton's i360 and Lancing Chapel will take part in the light-up and the NSPCC is encouraging participants to go past either of these landmarks on their walk, take a photo and upload it to their website.

The charity has come up with a few suggestions as to how you can take part:

• Take part on your own, or with friends and family
• Will you walk an organised trail, do a loop around your house, or plan your route around local Christmas lights?
• You could meet for mulled wine, hot chocolate or mince pies beforehand, or end the walk with a well-deserved Christmas dinner or drinks.
• You could even dress up – think reindeer antlers and Santa hats, or light-up accessories to shine on through the night.
• Remember to follow the latest government guidance and advice, to keep safe on your walk.
• Registrations are open until midnight on the 21 December, so sign up today to take part.

According to the NSPCC:

One in five children in the UK have suffered abuse and this Christmas thousands of children will call Childline in London and talk about their fears.

December 2020 saw Childline deliver a record number of counselling sessions about loneliness for a single month, with the service delivering nearly 600 in December alone. Loneliness is particularly affecting younger children. In 2020/21, there was a 47 percent increase in counselling sessions with children aged 11 and under when compared to the year before.

Christmas can be a very challenging time for children who suffer from abuse, neglect and are struggling with their mental health. Cut off from school and other support, it is vital they have somewhere to turn. The NSPCC is reaching out to the public to support its Here for Children Appeal and make a donation, so Childline counsellors can answer a child’s call for help this Christmas. 

Kate Hershkowitz, the NSPCC’s Supporter Fundraising Manager for the South East said:

“Thank you so much to British Airways i360 and Lancing College Chapel for lighting your beautiful buildings NSPCC green for us this year. If you live nearby and haven’t yet signed up for our Walk for Children, there’s still time. 

“The festive period can be especially difficult for children who are struggling with their mental health or are in homes that are unsafe. Given the impact of the pandemic, it is no surprise that this year we’ve seen record numbers of children get in touch with us about loneliness.

“Our Childline service will be running every day over the Christmas holidays, and we thank the BA i360 and Lancing College for raising awareness of this.”

A spokesperson from British Airways i360 said:

“We’re pleased to support NSPCC’s Walk for Children Christmas campaign by lighting our viewing pod green on December 21, hopefully encouraging conversations and raising awareness of this worthwhile cause.” 

A Lancing College spokesperson said:

“We are delighted that on 21 December – the longest night of the year – we will be lighting the Chapel green to continue to show our longstanding support for the NSPCC, and to highlight the NSPCC’s ‘Walk for Children’ taking place that night to raise funds to help vulnerable children suffering abuse over the Christmas season.”

Adults worried about a child’s welfare can call the NSPCC’s Helpline 24/7 on 0808 800 5000.
Children and young people can call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk