Network and Support NSPCC at September Business Event
7.30-9.30am, Alveston House Hotel, Davids Lane, Alveston BS35 2LA

Businesses are invited to join an NSPCC business networking breakfast.

The NSPCC’s Bristol Business Board, a group of local businesses, are working together to help raise £400,000 in support of the charity’s national helplines – ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline. The board is hosting the event to raise awareness among local businesses of the charity’s Child’s Voice appeal and the need for funding to ensure that every child’s cry for help is answered.

The networking breakfast will also see the official launch of the region’s “1600 Club” which will encourage local businesses to show their support for the NSPCC by pledging to raise £1600 to help end cruelty to children over the coming year. All businesses that take part and reach the £1600 target will be invited to an evening reception hosted by Dragon’s Den investor, successful entrepreneur and Chair of the NSPCC’s South West Child’s Voice Appeal, Deborah Meaden.

The NSPCC launched its Child’s Voice Appeal in 2008 to raise £50 million nationally to develop ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline for adults with concerns about a child. At that time one in three calls to ChildLine from children wanting to talk about bullying, family relationships, physical and sexual abuse and other problems were going unanswered because the NSPCC did not have enough funds to fully resource the service.

The Bristol Business Board has already raised over £45,000 to enable the NSPCC to more than double its number of volunteer counsellors to 82 at its South West ChildLine base in Exeter which takes calls from the Bristol area. Now it is hoping to explain its fundraising campaign and encourage support from other businesses across the region as well as offering help with fundraising ideas, PR advice, contacts and more.

“The breakfast is a chance for those attending to make their networking count and help protect children from cruelty and abuse, whilst helping their own business,” explains the NSPCC’s South West Corporate Fundraising Manager, Carrie Cardale.

“Over coffee and bacon butties local businesses will have the opportunity to hear more about how other companies are making a real difference to children in the South West. There’s no obligation to take part, but it’s a great chance to hear more about the fun, teamwork and motivation that can result from fundraising for a major national charity.”

The cost to attend the event will be £10, with all donations going directly to the NSPCC. A light breakfast is being provided by Alveston House Hotel, sponsors of the event.

To book a seat at the networking event please contact Sue Tumelty, Bristol Board 1600 Club Co-ordinator at The HR Dept on 0845 202 1999. Alternatively, places can be booked online below.

www.hrdept.co.uk