A TEAM of volunteers are preparing to leave their own families on Christmas day to answer Childline calls from Wiltshire children in need of help.

Almost 2,000 Childline counselling sessions were delivered over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day last year, with more than 500 of those on Christmas Day alone.

The Childline service and number is shared with thousands of primary school children in Wiltshire through the NSPCC’s Schools Service programme. It involves trained members of staff and volunteers delivering assemblies and workshops around the different kinds of abuse and helping children identify a trusted adult they can speak to if they have a concern.

Julie Campbell, the NSPCC’s local campaign manager for the south west of England, said: “Christmas should be a magical time for children, but many young people will be facing some really distressing situations such as living with neglect, sexual abuse, family breakdowns or bereavement.

“It’s really important for us to teach children throughout the year about Childline, so they remember the number should they need it, even if that’s on Christmas Day. It can be a real lifeline. Any donations this Christmas will help us continue to help children.Childline offers all children the chance to talk about whatever issue they are facing."

Adults worried about the welfare of a child can contact the NSPCC’s Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or www.nspcc.org.uk Children can call Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or by visiting www.childline.org.uk To donate £3 to the NSPCC, text SPARKLE to 70007.