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I can think of four very good reasons why, over the next month or so, ringers everywhere should support the Children's Society in the incredible work they do to help children and young people:
Neglect, abuse and isolation can sometimes make home so unbearable that the only solution is to run away. Each year in England, 100,000 children run away from home and many of them resort to begging, stealing and prostitution to survive. The Children's Society aims to meet these children at their point of greatest need and help them find somewhere safe.
War, persecution and torture force many children to flee to this country alone. Frightened and having lost everything, the last thing they want is to be turned away. The Children's Society helps refugee children rebuild their lives in communities, surrounded and supported by new friends.
Exclusion, ignorance and disrespect mean that many disabled children are allowed little control over their own lives, something most of us take for granted. The Children's Society ensures that disabled children have a voice in the choices and decisions that affect them, now and in the future
Bullying, violence and deprivation - exposed to terrors like these in their daily lives, it's not surprising that some children are driven to crime. But they are still children. The Children's Society seeks lasting solutions to the reasons behind the statistics, providing preventative support and guidance that leads children away from the cycle of crime and custody.
The aim of this ringing project is to achieve not just sponsorship for The Children's Society but also local promotion of ringing and especially attracting youngsters to learn to ring.
Please ensure that all sponsored ringing is publicised well in advance in parish magazines, local newspapers and local radio and that general information is also given about where to go to see ringing and learn how to ring. In particular give the Central Council website address www.cccbr.org.uk on all publicity material because there is a link on that to the Central Council 'Learn to Ring' initiative - where a personal response about a local contact is given by Bobbie May on behalf of the Public Relations Committee. A copy of the Central Council publicity leaflet will be included in the publicity pack sent out to parishes by The Children's Society.
The work of the Children's Society really does deserve our support and that's why we're inviting bands of ringers every where to join in the Children's Society Peal Appeal during Advent and over the Christmas period. Please participate by a organizing some sponsored ringing, perhaps for your church carol service or Christingle.
The aim of this ringing project is two-fold, not just sponsorship for The Children's Society but also to promote ringing in your locality. Please encourage your band and your community to take part.
The ringing doesn't have to be a fancy peal in some esoteric method: you could either be s ponsored according to the number of changes you ring, or the length of time you ring. You could even ring in relays and keep the bells going for a longer period - it's a great way to get everyone involved and may be the starting point for the next generation of ringers.
The Children's Society, in conjunction with the Central Council Public Relations Committee, have produced a sponsorship pack for the event, which contains all the materials you will need to publicise your sponsored ringing.
To obtain your pack please contact the Children's Society Supporter Action Team by telephoning 0845 300 1128 or sending an e-mail to supporteraction@childrenssociety.org.uk.
A joint press release is downloadable either from the Central Council website: http://www.cccbr.org.uk/prc/pressReleases/ChildrensSociety125PressRelease.php or The Children's Society website: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/support+us/Volunteer/Peal+Appeal.htm
Please help us to raise a substantial sum for the work of the Children's Society and at the same time promote ringing as a superb and worthwhile activity for youngsters.
Richard Offen
On behalf of the CCCBR Public Relations Committee
November 2006
Created: 14 November 2006