A message from Esther Rantzen

Dear Friend,

As ChildLine's Chairman I am asking you to consider supporting ChildLine.

ChildLine is the free national 24-hour helpline for children in trouble or danger. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect desperate children who feel they have nowhere else to turn.

Calls are free to children calling 0800 1111, from anywhere in the country, but ChildLine pays for every one.

Children call ChildLine about a wide range of problems, but the most common problems are abuse, both sexual and physical.

Since it was launched in 1986, ChildLine has saved children's lives, found refuge for children in danger on the streets, and given hope to thousands of children who believed no-one else cared for them.

ChildLine passed an important milestone last year. ChildLine's volunteer counsellors have now counselled over a million children and young people. But this is not enough - the sad truth is that 15,000 attempted calls are made to ChildLine every day, but lack of funds means that we are only able to answer 3,500 of these calls.

Our nightmare at ChildLine is of the lonely, frightened child, desperate for help and protection, who plucks up the courage to phone ChildLine, but cannot get through because the lines are busy.
ChildLine relies on voluntary donations for over 90% of its income each year.

ChildLine is literally a lifeline for children in trouble or danger and without your support our work would not be possible.

Thank You, with very best wishes

Esther Rantzen, OBE, Chairman, ChildLine