Worthing Festival charities for 2009 announced

This is why this year's Worthing Lions Festival will be raising money for the charity so it can expand its services and help more children and parents in the town.

Supported by the Herald, the festival this year will run from Saturday, July 18, until Sunday, August 2, with the main festival weekend in the middle '“ July 24, 25 and 26.

Tony Holley, joint chairman of the Worthing Lions, said they decided to support the NSPCC after hearing that hundreds of youngsters and parents call the charity from Worthing.

Last year, more than 400 calls were made to ChildLine from Worthing, although it is estimated this could be as little as 20 per cent of the calls from the area because most come from mobiles.

Russell Squire, NSPCC's community fund-raising manager for Sussex, said bullying is always the top concern from callers, followed by calls about family relationship problems, physical abuse and sexual abuse.

Mr Holley said: "I have grandchildren at school but wasn't aware how many children are bullied. Most of them cannot talk to their parents '“ they need someone to speak to who is not close to them.

"The NSPCC is a well known and trusted organisation and anything we can do to help them help youngsters in trouble is a good thing."

NSPCC's community fund-raising manager for Sussex Russell Squire said: "Support from groups such as the Worthing Lions is crucial to the NSPCC and its aim to raise 50million for its Child's Voice Appeal.

"We just could not do so much for young people without such support and it will give a real boost to getting the NSPCC messages to the community in Worthing and beyond."

Any business who would like to support the festival this year should call the Worthing Lions on 01903 502807.

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