As I am sure many people are aware, the ISPCC provides vital support services for the children of Ireland. These services include mentoring and the hugely popular Childline service. These services cost more than €4 million per year and 80% of the funding comes directly from corporate and public donations. Recently, the ISPCC has found itself in crisis as a result of a fall in the amount of money collected from donations. As such it is more important than ever that the ISPCC continues to receive vital funds in order to continue the work that they have been doing.

A number of ISPCC volunteers are attempting to help raise vital funds by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I am asking anyone who can if they can please pledge what they can in order to raise as much money as possible for the ISPCC in order for them to continue their important work in listening to and supporting the children of Ireland – because every child has the right to be heard.

Please see a personal message from Michelle Green below where she explains her fundraising effort and asks for any help or support that people can offer.

“Hi everyone my name is Michelle Green and I’ve been volunteering with the ISPCC for 2 years. I thoroughly enjoy working in Childline and I really feel like we have a vital role in supporting children here in Ireland. This is why I am doing the Climb for Kids in Kilimanjaro next February 2015.

Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free standing mountain at 19,341 feet above sea level. We will be covering 4635 miles over 7 days. It is not only a very physical challenge but a mental challenge as well. I have no idea why I have decided to climb this! But something drew me to the idea and now I am committed to getting to the top! It is not only the climb that is challenging but so is the fundraising. I am the only person in the Dublin unit participating which is why I need your help.

As you all know Childline is suffering from a knockback in fundraising and they need all the help they can get to keep the service running 24/7.  We need to raise nearly €5,000 each to take part in this and Childline will get €3, 500 which it desperately needs. So have a look out for things around the unit about my upcoming events and I am also trying to organise something for the volunteers! Alternatively you can go on to my donation page http://www.mycharity.ie/event/michelle_greens_event”

David Forde is another volunteer who is attempting to raise money for ISPCC Childline by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Please pledge or donate what you can to help him to achieve his fundraising goal for ISPCC Childline. His donation page is here: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/david_fordes_event/

Thank you.