THE CHILDREN'S SOCIETY
SAFE AND SOUND CAMPAIGN - a success story.

For decades The Children's Society has been helping young runaways and their families. They've done their utmost but the problem is now so huge it requires government intervention and funding. That's why in March 2004 they launched Safe and Sound to ensure that happens. And eighteen months of hard work by volunteers across the country culminated in a successful Safe and Sound week for The Children's Society.

One hundred thousand children run away from home every year and urgently need somewhere to go and someone sound to talk to. Currently (November 2005) there are just ten beds available for children in refuges across the whole of the UK. The Safe and Sound petition calls upon the Government to set up a national network of children's refuges.

In 2004 when volunteers were asked to help gather signatures, the aim was to collect 150,000 - one for every runaway child. On Monday 10th October 2005, five children from their projects delivered the petition with over 115,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street. (Thank you to all who "signed up" in our two Churches). But the campaigning has not ended there. Much more is needed to ensure child runaways finally receive the help they so desperately need and to help the projects currently working in the area to grow.

Which is why I am appealing to you, once again, to support The Children's Society - via the wall boxes, the two Christingle Services, and our Christmas services. Your response is always so very generous, but I am sure that, with runaway children in mind, we can do better than ever this year.

Thank you

Jean Wrench

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