The Cheerios Childline breakfast week is coming: Here’s how to host YOURS

Did you know, 652,505 calls are made from children in Ireland each year to Childline?  We know, that's pretty staggering. Sadly, 28,000 callers were about abuse and violence, 119,000 about personal issues, 30,000  on sexuality and 9,000 about mental health. That is a lot of children looking for help. This vital service needs €3.5 million to keep this service running 24/7, 365 days a year and with your support we can raise €300k to help towards this. Just imagine if your child needed help, and there was nobody to listen? This could be your neighbour, your child's friend, any vulnerable, innocent child. You CAN help. Host a little breakfast to raise awareness, funds and spread the word about volunteers to the charity. How to register Log on to childlinebreakfast.ie, call 1850 504050 or email breakfast@ispcc.ie. Request a pack You'll receive a special breakfast pack in the post with all the tools to help you get started: posters, a collection box, sponsorship cards and stickers to use in your school, office, reception or your local community centre – basically anywhere that will get you noticed. It's super-easy. When do you have to host by? The week of October 5 –11 is the official week of Childline activities across the country. Simply choose a theme or event idea, you could do something fun like....

• Throw a PJ Party or have a silly fancy dress event
• Play some games – fill a jar with Cheerios and guess how many are in there.. you get the drift.

Show your support If you are unable to get to a Childline Breakfast near you simply text "BREAKFAST" to 50300 to donate €2 (the price of a cup of coffee) to the is incredible charity. What other events are happening? A variety of cool events are popping up everywhere:

• September 25th, 26th and 27th there is Children's entertainment with face painting, a magic show and a Cheerio's Wishing well in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.
• HerFamily.ie held exclusive  Cheerios Childline event last week to promote this valuable service.

Please, please be part of the overall plan to make sure Childline can be there to hear every voice. Chief Executive of the ISPCC Grainia Long said, “Last year’s event raised a staggering €220,000 for Childline. The children of Ireland rely on Childline and with just 10% Government funding. Childline relies on the public to help us operate this vital service that is for children 24/7”. Monica Rowe just one of Childline's 493 volunteers said, “Without this service many of the children would have nobody to turn to at what might be a vital moment in their life.” Follow Childline on Facebook for more details.