Message from
Esther Rantzen
A thank you from Founder and President of ChildLine, Esther Rantzen:
The Hampshire Enchanted ChildLine Ball was quite simply superb. It was in fact the best ChildLine ball I have ever had the pleasure of attending.
The generosity of the guests surpassed all expectations and we have raised a phenomenal amount to help children in need reach the support they so desperately require. Thank you to everyone who helped us along the way and to all the wonderful guests who dug deep on the night itself.
I launched ChildLine in 1986 and since then we have counselled over two million children, brought abusers to justice, saved precious lives and protected children from pain.
ChildLine is not just a helping hand, it is a lifeline. Children ring about a wide range of problems, such as bullying, abuse – physical, sexual, emotional and neglect, family tension, attempted suicide and self harm.
We rely on 1,500 volunteer counsellors at bases around the UK to answer these calls, each of whom has passed through a training programme costing £1,600 per counsellor. ChildLine wants to answer all the calls it receives, 2.3 million each year. In Hampshire alone , we receive 140 calls a week from children who need help (and these are the calls we are able to trace – they do not include mobiles, instant messaging or texts). ChildLine wants to answer all the calls it receives, but sadly has not sufficient resources, and currently can only answer two-thirds of callers. So events such as these are vital. The money raised will enable us to answer many more calls from children with nowhere else to turn, and ensure no cry goes unheard.
Thank you so much for your support.
With very best wishes,
Esther Rantzen, CBE
President & Founder of ChildLine
Patron, The Enchanted ChildLine Ball
Message from Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan JP DCVO
I am honoured to have been involved in The Enchanted ChildLine Ball, an event which showcased the very best of our wonderful county of Hampshire and, with the money raised, will make a difference to the lives of so many children affected by cruelty and abuse. ChildLine is often the last hope for these children and yet it is incredibly distressing to learn the number of calls that go unanswered due to a lack of funding. Thank you to those that joined us at The Enchanted ChildLine Ball and to all those who supported the event, helping us to ensure that no child’s voice is unheard.
Mary Fagan
Mrs Mary Fagan JP DCVO
Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire
Patron, The Enchanted ChildLine Ball
