Jamaican international and Newcastle United Women’s striker Shania Hayles took part in a Q&A session with students at White Mere Community Primary School in Gateshead, where she also led the class in the Childhood Day Mile.
Childhood Day is the NSPCC’s annual fundraising event, and takes place this year on Friday, June 6. Each year, supporters across the country take part in fundraising collections and play-themed events to raise vital funds for the children’s charity.
The Childhood Day Mile encourages children, adults, families, teachers and colleagues to move a mile in any way they choose - from running or swimming to hopscotch and conga lines – with every penny of sponsorship raised going to help keep children safe.
Shania joined the White Mere pupils and staff on their sports field to carry out their mile, with parents and grandparents joining young people taking laps of the sidelines.
Shania said: “Sport can be an incredible unifier, building children’s confidence, helping them work together and develop personally, so it’s been amazing to meet the kids here and share a few stories about my life in football.
“I know how valuable every pound is to the NSPCC and the importance of their work supporting families and young people here in the North East and around the country. It’s been great to see everyone at White Mere put on such a lovely community event for the Childhood Day Mile, and I hope it inspires schools and supporters across the region to support Childhood Day on June 6 however they can.”
John Archer, headteacher at White Mere Primary, said: “The children have been really excited to welcome Shania today, and we’re so pleased she was able to join us in moving our Childhood Day Mile.
“We may be a small school, but the enthusiasm everyone has shown in making today’s event such a special one for the children, their families and Shania shows we have a big heart. It’s been wonderful to be able to raise vital funds for the NSPCC while having fun together, and we would encourage everyone support Childhood Day on June 6.”
Katie Fudge, NSPCC Schools Fundraising Development Manager, joined Shania and the pupils in the Childhood Day Mile, and said the funds raised by the school would make a huge difference to children and young people.
Katie said: “It’s so wonderful that Shania was able to share her sporting expertise with the children here today, and we could barely keep up with her on the Childhood Day Mile! The funds raised by the children and families of White Mere Primary will help support NSPCC services like Childline and campaigns that support families here in the North East and across the UK.
“We’re so proud to have Shania on board to support the NSPCC, but anyone can help make this year’s Childhood Day the best yet. It’s easy to sign up to the Childhood Day Mile, but we are also looking for volunteers to help out at our collections in the Metro Centre on June 7, and at Bridges Sunderland on June 13, where we’ll be joined by Star Wars characters from the North East Legions. If you can spare a little time to help us there, or if you’re passing and can spare a few pounds to help support the NSPCC’s work, we’d love to hear from you.”
To find out how you can support the NSPCC’s work in the North East, including volunteering at the Childhood Day collections, email Hayley.Lynn@nspcc.org.uk