BOLTON Wanderers have pledged to give child cruelty the red card.
The Wanderers have announced ChildLine Schools Service as their national charity for this season.
The club will help to raise much needed funds to support the service, which aims to help younger children’s understanding of abuse and how they can stay safe.
Club chairman Phil Gartside said: “As a community-focused club, we are committed to supporting charitable causes to inspire, enhance and help change the lives of those who are in most need.
“ChildLine Schools Service plays an important role in educating children about issues of abuse and encourages children to speak out if they have any worries.
“It is an excellent service which will give children real confidence they will be listened to.”
To help launch the partnership, players were on hand to meet Buddy, the ChildLine Schools Service mascot and children from the Gates Primary School in Westhoughton.
Tess O’ Callaghan, the NSPCC’s corporate fund-raising manager in Bolton, and Helen Matthews, area co-ordinator from the ChildLine Schools Service, also met the players and pupils.
The partnership will see a host of fundraising events at the Reebok Stadium, including a charity football match involving Whites players, a golf day; car boot sales and match day collections.
Ms O’Callaghan said: “Our partnership with Bolton Wanderers will benefit children across the area and we are hugely excited about working with the club.
“Our ChildLine Schools Service is fundamentally focused on safeguarding young people, so Bolton Wanderers support will help make a significant contribution to preventing child abuse.
“Just £12 will help us reach one primary school child, £400 one classroom, £800 one local school. The backing of the club and fans really will help us to protect a generation of children, one primary school at a time.”
Bolton Wanderers are one of the first businesses to join the NSPCC’s Bolton and Bury Business Board to raise much needed funds for the ChildLine Schools Service.
For more information about the service go to nspcc.org.uk/ schoolsservice Schools interested in having the free service for pupils should call Helen Matthews on 07834 498347 or email helenmatthews@nspcc.org.uk
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