CHILD PROTECTION HELPLINE Childline was open yesterday, receiving over 1,400 contacts from at-risk children.

The overall figure of 1,450 represents a 20 per cent increase in contacts answered compared with last Christmas.

75 ISPCC volunteers manned phones and computers yesterday, talking to vulnerable children from across the country, despite 2013 being a difficult year financially for the charity.

Margie Roe, national manager for Childline said that although Christmas is a special day for most children, for many it is just another day.

“Having been providing this service for 25 years, we know that for many children, Christmas Day is just another day. Children contacted Childline on Christmas Day for a variety of reasons but many of the calls were from those experiencing family difficulties, loneliness and mental health issues. The impact of alcohol abuse in the home over the Christmas period can also have a very negative impact on children.”

While it has been another difficult financial year, the ISPCC, with the support of over 600 volunteers nationwide has been determined to maintain all current services and to ensure that as many children as possible are heard.

Over the last year Childline has been struggling to answer all calls, with one in three calls going unanswered.

Childline said they were keen to acknowledge the input of the volunteers who have kept the resource running all year.

If you would like to donate €2 to Childline, text the word CHILDLINE to 50300.

Helplines:

• Childline 1800 66 66 66
• Samaritans 1850 60 90 90
• Aware 1890 303 302
• Pieta House 01 6010000

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