Take on an Olympic challenge for NSPCC
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Paul Stephenson, from the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit, takes up the Gold Challenge
A CALL has gone out for local athletes to step up to the podium for the '2012km Gold Challenge', and raise £1m to fund work with vulnerable children and young people.
With something for all sporting tastes, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is calling on all budding athletes to set themselves a goal of covering 2,012km by December 2012.
Be it through walking, running, cycling, swimming, horse riding, sailing, windsurfing, rowing or canoeing - or a combination of them all - there's an opportunity for sportsmen and women across Northern Ireland to take on the epic challenge.
It is hoped participants will raise £1 million to fund the NSPCC's vital work with children and young people, including the ChildLine service.
Paul Stephenson from the NSPCC's child protection in sport unit, has signed up for the event. He is already counting his kilometres towards the 2012 goal.
He said: "At first glance 2,012km sounds like a daunting prospect, but it is also a do-able challenge with incredibly meaningful outcomes for local children. When you consider that £4 could pay for a child to get in touch with a Childline counsellor, it is clear that every contribution could have a life-changing impact.
“In the months and years ahead, our work locally will include support for children who have a parent with a mental health problem, education for new parents, therapeutic services for children who have experienced sexual abuse and support for children in care.
“There is great work being done across Northern Ireland, but continued public support is vital."
The Gold Challenge, a non-profit organisation, is part of the mass participation legacy programme for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The NSPCC is one of 125 'Gold Challenge Partners'.
Catherine Nuttall, head of local fundraising, urged others to come on board.
She added: "As an incentive to raise as much money as possible through their Gold Challenge, participants will be given the chance to run the Olympic Stadium 100m track at a Gold Challenge event on Sunday, April 1, in front of a cheering crowd of 20,000 people!"
There are several ways to earn a place at the Gold Challenge Olympic Stadium incentive day. Firstly, be one of the 72 highest Gold Challenge fundraisers by February 29, or be in the top nine fundraising businesses, the top university or the top four fundraising schools. Alternatively, the NSPCC can allocate a place for individuals within its exclusive 100m race or for selected corporate partners' employees to fundraise their
way into the
NSPCC corporate team relay.
To find out how you can get involved or for more information on Gold Challenge, contact Kate Hershkowitz on 0208252560, email goldchallenge@nspcc.org.uk or visit www.nspcc.org.uk/goldchallenge.
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