NSPCC to benefit from Coronation Street's 50th anniversary celebrations

The NSPCC was today (30 March 2010) announced as one of four charities to benefit from Coronation Street's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Chosen by the cast, the charities will benefit from a variety of activity over the coming year - starting with the auction of the bespoke 'flying ducks' brooch, created for The Duchess of Cornwall's visit to the cobbles last month.

NSPCC fundraising manager, Colin Mackenzie-Blackman said: "We are so proud that the NSPCC has been chosen by the cast of such an iconic show to benefit from their support.

We're hoping that the millions of viewers who watch Coronation Street every week will get behind the 50th anniversary celebrations and help raise valuable funds for the NSPCC."

Kieran Roberts, Executive Producer, Coronation Street, says: "The 50th year of Coronation Street is a massive landmark in television history, and one that will be commemorated in many different ways, both on and off screen, throughout 2010.

"We're delighted that support for local and UK-wide charities will form an important part of our anniversary commemorations, enabling us to use the programme's profile to provide real support for good causes in Manchester and beyond".

A range of desirable and collectable retail products to help raise funds for the charities will be sold throughout the year.

The other national charity to benefit is Cancer Research UK. The Christie and Moodswings are the local charities to benefit.

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About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's vision is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people.