Calls to Childline on Christmas Day were up by 25 pc on last year

Childline received over 1,200 contacts from children across Ireland on Christmas Day.

The charity service answered 1,267 calls, texts and online messages yesterday, it revealed today. This shows a 25 per cent increase on 2017's figure, when it answered 1,020 contacts from children on Christmas Day. Among the issues brought up by kids this year were tensions at home, often caused by relationship issues or alcohol. Others who got in touch said they were feeling sad or lonely or that they missed loved ones who weren't around. This year 45 volunteers worked 24 hours across the day to field calls and messages from children struggling. John Church, chief executive of the ISPCC (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) thanked those who had given up their time.

"We are hugely grateful to each of the Childline volunteers who give up time with their own loved ones throughout the holiday season to make sure that children have somewhere to turn when they seek support.

"A call to Childline can be life-changing for a child or young person,” he said.

“Childline is there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for children and young people throughout Ireland who seek a listening ear .

“The service relies on the sustained generous support expressed by the general public and for this we sincerely thank everyone who has supported us in 2018.”