SWINDON Mayor Teresa Page, Wiltshire Police Chief Pat Geenty and Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson are among a few friends of the NSPCC who are backing the charity’s first ever Bobble Hat Day.

It takes place on December 10 and the NSPCC is calling on people in Swindon to get behind the festive fundraising initiative for the charity’s ChildLine service.

The charity is asking people to wear a bobble hat for the day and make a small donation towards its ChildLine service, which provides support and advice to children and young people across the UK and Channel Islands.

ChildLine will be open throughout the festive period to respond to children who need someone to talk to.

NSPCC fundraising manager Caroline Morgan said: “NSPCC Bobble Hat Day is a fun, simple way for anyone to support ChildLine this Christmas.

"All you need to do is wear your favourite bobble hat on December 10, post a picture of yourself in your hat on Facebook or Twitter along with #BOBBLEHATDAY and then text BOBBLE to 70744 to make a £2 donation. What could be easier?.

“A child contacts ChildLine every 20 seconds and some are going through the toughest times of their lives. They talk to us about things like family problems, bullying, self-harm and depression.

“For most children, Christmas is a happy time. But for others it can be lonely and upsetting. By taking part in Bobble Hat Day and making a donation to the NSPCC, you could be helping us to be there for every child who needs us this Christmas and beyond.”

Celebrities backing the NSPCC Bobble Hat Day include Peter Andre and children’s TV presenters Dick and Dom, along with staff from Zurich in Swindon who fundraise for the charity and NSPCC Swindon service centre staff, fundraisers and volunteers. To register and for more information, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/bobblehat

Bobble Hat Day is just one way of supporting the NSPCC’s Call for Help appeal to ensure that the charity’s ChildLine service is able to offer support and hope to the thousands of children and young people expected to make contact this December.

For more, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/