WEST MIDLANDS EVERY CHILD MATTERS APPEAL KICKS OFF IN BIRMINGHAM’S TALLEST BUILDING

The number of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the West Midlands using services run by children’s charity NCH has soared by over 350% over the past five years, said NCH as it launched its West Midlands Every Child Matters Appeal. The new appeal is highlighting issues including poverty, disability and abuse faced by thousands of local children and teenagers, and aims to raise £300,000 to help fund NCH’s network of 46 local centres.

[UKPRwire, Wed Apr 12 2006] The number of vulnerable and disadvantaged children in the West Midlands using services run by children’s charity NCH has soared by over 350% over the past five years, said NCH today as it launched its West Midlands Every Child Matters Appeal.

The new appeal is highlighting issues including poverty, disability and abuse faced by thousands of local children and teenagers, and aims to raise £300,000 to help fund NCH’s network of 46 local centres.

The appeal was kicked off today with a special football-themed event on the second floor of Birmingham’s new Radisson SAS Hotel in Beetham Tower, the city’s tallest building.

Children from NCH Birmingham Young Carers centre took part in a penalty shootout with NCH mascot Cedric the Dragon and also baked a special “£300,000” cake behind-the-scenes in the Radisson’s kitchens, which was auctioned off to guests.

The Radisson SAS Hotel has chosen NCH Birmingham Young Carers as its charity for the year and has planned a programme of hospitality events aimed at giving respite to children and young people who care for sick or disabled family members. These include offering the youngsters afternoon tea in the restaurant, Filini, cookery lessons and overnight stays.

General manager Kathrine Ohm Thomas said: “We wanted to mark our arrival in Birmingham by giving our support to a local charity for which a hotel would have some relevance. NCH Birmingham Young Carers fits the bill perfectly, because staying at a hotel – or even visiting a hotel – is something most of these young people never get an opportunity to do, even though sometimes they desperately need a break from their home routine.

“What we want to do is to lavish a bit of luxury on the young people, as well as provide them with some practical skills training, such as food preparation. We were delighted to host the cake-makers who had a lot of fun in the kitchen with sous-chef Neal Breen and his team.”

NCH works with more children and young people than any other UK charity. Alongside its work with young carers, its local centres provide services including family support; care for children with disabilities; accommodation, moral and practical support for vulnerable young people leaving care; divorce mediation services; adoption and fostering; and sexual abuse counselling.

Almost 20,400 children and teenagers are now using these services, compared to 5,800 five years ago. The number of centres in the West Midlands has risen over the past five years from 27 to 46.

NCH works in close partnership with agencies such as local authorities and the NCH, but still needs to raise at least £1 million every year to run its West Midlands services.

Karen Stone, NCH West Midlands Director of Children’s Services, said: “By supporting our Every Child Matters Appeal, local people and businesses can directly help us to make a real difference to the lives of over 20,400 children and young people. We are determined to ensure that every child matters - and to help give excluded and disadvantaged children in the region the chance to be happy, successful, healthy and safe.”

Local companies that have already pledged support to the appeal include Business Post, Gateley Wareing solicitors, Jones & Palmer, Wragge and Co solicitors, and Kroll.

To donate to the appeal or to support NCH, call 0121 321 5180, or write to ‘Every Child Matters Appeal’, NCH, 8 Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1TJ. Please make cheques payable to NCH.

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Appeal launch details

What: NCH West Midlands Every Child Matters Appeal launch
When: Thursday 13 April 2006, 5.30pm
Where: Radisson SAS Hotel, Birmingham, 2-18 Holloway Circus, Birmingham B1 1BT

Notes to editors

1. NCH, formerly known as National Children’s Homes, runs over 500 projects for the UK's most vulnerable children, young people and their families, and supports over 140,000 people. www.nch.org.uk
2. Five years ago 5,783 children and teenagers were using NCH services in the West Midlands. Today that figure is 20,394.
3. For information on the UK’s Government’s Every Child Matters project visit http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/children/

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