Tom Percival, award-winning author, illustrator and NSPCC ambassador attended Rotherfield Primary School in Islington on Friday, 23rd May 2025, as part of the charity’s forthcoming Childhood Day.
Year 1 pupils were treated to Tom’s Big Bright Workshop, which involved a reading from Tom’s new book, Bea’s Bad Day, about a little girl who’s having a bad day until a friend helps to make her feel better. He also talked about his career as an illustrator and delivered a drawing workshop with the children.
Afterwards he took to the school grounds to join in with The Childhood Day Mile with the rest of the school.
Tom said: “My work as an author is about entertaining, supporting and encouraging children, while hopefully inspiring them to help others too.
“The NSPCC is always there for children and goes the extra-mile when a young person needs support. I’m really proud to be part of their work by supporting them on Childhood Day. We can all achieve so much when we work together.”
Childhood Day, which is taking place on Friday 6th June this year, is the charity’s national day to fundraise and help keep children safe. Every year communities in London and across the UK, come together on or near the day to celebrate childhood through fundraising, volunteering and a range of activities for all to enjoy.
Everyone can play their part in keeping children safe and one way is to get involved this Childhood Day. People can volunteer in NSPCC collections, organise their own Childhood Day event and take part in the Childhood Day Mile.
Adults in the workplace can fundraise with colleagues in a ‘walk and talk’ meeting, get moving during their lunch break or go the distance as a team in a relay race.
Children can move their mile by parading in the playground, dance in the dinner hall or lunge in between lessons. However they complete their mile, every pound raised will help the NSPCC’s vital work in keeping children safe.
Over 80% of the NSPCC’s income comes from donations and every pound raised will help the charity be there for children when they need support through their services.
Rachel Sullivan, NSPCC Supporter Fundraising Manager, said, “It is essential that our services, like Childline, are here for those children that need help and don’t know where to turn. Every £29 raised from Childhood Day, could fund a Childline supervisor for one hour supporting our volunteer counsellors.
“Similarly, £5 pays for one practitioner to answer a call to the NSPCC Helpline. In 2023/24, the NSPCC received 75,000 contacts to the Helpline from people with concerns about a child’s welfare.
“We are really excited for this year’s Childhood Day and looking forward to seeing everyone play their part in helping to keep children safe.”
