NSPCC becomes Burnetts' Charity of the Year

The NSPCC is a fantastic organisation that helps children and their families across Cumbria and the rest of the UK. They were chosen to be Burnetts’ charity of the year because their message of “Every childhood is worth fighting for” strongly resonates with both partners and staff, who welcome this opportunity to raise awareness and support this important cause.

Locally, the NSPCC runs the Letting the Future In, Turn the Page and Protect and Respect services. Letting the Future In offers specialist therapeutic services to children who have been victims of sexual abuse, including play, creative and talking therapies. Turn the Page offers services for children, who display harmful sexual behaviours, and their families. Finally, Protect and Respect helps support children and young people who have been, or are at risk of being, sexually exploited.

An area of increasing concern is the risks that children face online; NSPCC statistics show 1 in 3 children have seen something worrying online. To help families mitigate these risks, the charity runs the NetAware website with O2, offering parents and children a go-to place for advice and support on online safety features and the apps most commonly downloaded and used by children.

If you would like more information or would like to access any of the NSPCC services, please visit their website at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Burnetts Head of People Claire Harrison said: “Now more than ever vulnerable children need our help, due to the national lockdowns children are being kept inside their homes and placed potentially in harm’s way. The NSPCC is an amazing organisation, who have adapted their services to allow them to rise to the challenge of supporting children during a global pandemic. Their work is immeasurably important to our community and beyond, it is an honour to support them”.

Burnetts Head of Commercial Property Helen Hayward remarked: “I have been privileged to have been able to help fundraise for NSPCC Carlisle in the past and I am delighted that Burnetts have now chosen to support them as their charity of the year. All the money raised is spent on local projects supporting local children, especially victims of sexual abuse. Local fundraising events provide a lifeline of support for the Carlisle Centre. For almost a year now they have just not been able to happen - so this essential local resource for children needs our support more than ever.”

Sandra Jones, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager, said: “We are so grateful for the support of Burnetts in naming the NSPCC as their charity of the year in 2021 and 2022. It’s been a tough year for children, but with the support of businesses like Burnetts we can make 2021 and 2022 better years for children in Cumbria, whether that’s through our Childline, Helpline and Schools services, or through our Carlisle Service Centre, which supports children across the county. We know community is very important to Burnetts, and we look forward to seeing what an extraordinary difference to children’s lives we can make together.”