The NSPCC’s Childhood Day is being celebrated across London today, with the iconic One Canada Square in Canary Wharf lighting up in the charity’s signature green colour as the sun sets.
Meanwhile former Team GB swimmer Michael Gunning took part in the Childhood Day Mile at Wickham Common Primary School in Bromley, and the NSPCC’s London and South East Hub in Camden opened its doors to children from Fleet Primary School.
Every year on the first Friday in June, communities in London and across the UK, come together to celebrate childhood through fundraising, volunteering and a range of activities for all to enjoy. The Childhood Day Mile asks people of all ages to move a mile in aid of the NSPCC.
Over 80% of the NSPCC’s income comes from donations and it is essential that its services, like Childline, are here for those children that need help and don’t know where to turn.
A special Childhood Day open day for local children was held on June 5 at the NSPCC London and South East Hub. Practitioners treated the children to a morning of games and craft activities that helped teach them healthy ways to manage emotions.
The Hub, which supports families across the region, including sexual and domestic abuse recovery programmes, is just one aspect of the NSPCC’s work that money raised this Childhood Day could go towards. Childline is another service run by the NSPCC, providing a listening ear for young people under 19 at any time of day, throughout the year. Volunteer counsellors take calls and messages from children at bases across the country, including at Weston House in Shoreditch.
On Wednesday commuters at Waterloo, London Bridge, Moorgate and Victoria stations were greeted by volunteers dressed in green at collection points.
Kellie Ann Fitzgerald, NSPCC Assistant Director for London and the South East said: “What a magical Childhood Day it’s been this year! We are so grateful to everyone who has fundraised, donated, and taken part in the Childhood Day Mile in the region. Together we can make a difference to the lives of children.”
The fun is not over yet, as on Saturday, June 7 Paw Patrol characters will be making special appearances at Matalan stores in Beckton and Croydon between 11am – 2pm for Childhood Day, as Matalan launch a fur-tastic new Paw Patrol Range in partnership with Paramount and in aid of the NSPCC. Find out more here.
