Staples

Staples, the office supplies company, has supported ChildLine since 1999 when they launched a competition which encouraged children to write a story beginning with the word 'Suddenly'.

The winning entries were compiled in a book and sold to the public which raised £80,000 and since then the partnership has gone from strength to strength.

In 2006, to celebrate ChildLine's 20th birthday, Staples launched their first Christmas paper chain campaign. Customers were invited to donate £1 in return for a link of a brightly-coloured paper chain which stretched across the stores.

This raised £46,000 in the first year and £78,000 in the second year and Staples staff are so enthusiastic about the paper chain campaign, they have chosen to run it for a third year.

Broadcaster and ChildLine founder Esther Rantzen recently launched the 2010 paper chain at her local store and urged customers to take part and help more children who need the support of ChildLine.

Staples Operations Director, Bill Walker said, "ChildLine does incredible work across the country and all our stores are aiming to raise as much as possible this year. What's great about the Christmas Paper Chain campaign is that it's fun and links back to an old Christmas tradition and the same time will hopefully capture our shoppers' imagination and encourage people to make a donation."