The Bolton & Bury Business Board for the NSPCC – the country’s well-known child protection charity – hosted its official launch event with over 70 local businesses as guests on Thursday (26th July).
Held at the Retreat Restaurant & Grill in Bolton to raise awareness of the charity’s ChildLine School’s Service, the event was organised by the recently formed Board of local business leaders, including: Stuart Stead of Cowgill Holloway, Chris Houghton of Eventura, Val Allen of General Welding Supplies and Mark Hawthorn of Landmark Investments Group.
Guest speaker at the event was Alison Leonard, NSPCC regional vice president and HSBC Group’s head of online sales, who presented the genuine benefits for businesses involved with the national children’s charity. There was also an address from NSPCC senior corporate manager, Martin Ashton, about the work of the charity and how they support children and young people.
Stuart Stead, chairman of the NSPCC Bolton & Bury Business Board, commented on the launch event. He said: “We’re delighted with the positive attendance at the launch. It demonstrates the influence and strength of being involved with such a worthy cause can have upon regional business and we want to highlight the reciprocal nature of the relationship. Now we hope to turn the attendance into tangible business and grow the network even further.”
The Bolton & Bury Business Board formed in late 2011 to promote the benefits of charity involvement on regional business growth. The Board have pledged to raise £1 million in the next five years for the NSPCC’s ChildLine Schools Service in the local area, and have already made a positive start with their first fundraising event in May 2012, generating £20,000 with a dinner and boxing show at the Reebok Stadium.
The ChildLine Schools Service is a new service for primary school children, particularly focusing on nine to 11 year olds, that aims to help them understand what abuse is, including bullying, how to protect themselves and where to get help and support if needed. The service is led by volunteers who are trained to deliver safeguarding assemblies and interactive workshops in schools.
Rowan Gill, NSPCC corporate fundraising manager, commented: “The establishment of a new business board in Bolton & Bury is a great boost to the charity in the region and I would like to thank all the business board members who have given up their time to be involved and support us.”
If you would like to get involved in supporting the Bolton & Bury Business Board please contact the Board by emailing: Bolton.burybb@nspcc.org.uk
For more information about the ChildLine Schools Service in Bolton & Bury please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/schoolsservice or contact Helen Matthews, ChildLine Area Co-ordinator on 07834 498347 or email helenmatthews@nspcc.org.uk.
Disclaimer
The information was correct at time of publishing but may now be out of date.
