Press Releases

03 March 2008

Here's a prize that's sure to be top of the league for any fan of football memorabilia. The NSPCC is offering one lucky person the chance to win all twenty Premiership Club football shirts, signed by each team, in a special one-off text message promotion. 

Every Premiership Club from Arsenal to Wigan Athletic has donated a home shirt, signed by every player, to the prize fund. To be in with a chance of winning this unique prize simply text 'NSPCC' to 87121.

Fulham FC midfielder Jimmy Bullard said: "Playing a football match can take it out of you. Sometimes you're a minute from the final whistle and you can't let people down, you just have to keep going. But I reckon a shift taking calls at ChildLine would be a real challenge. Listening to kids of all ages talk about being hit, abused, or watching their parents fighting every day. That takes a lot of strength. That's why I'm supporting the NSPCC's Premiership text promotion and I hope you will too - text today and help change children's lives."

Every text entry will cost £1.50, which will include a 91p donation to the NSPCC to help the charity protect some of the most vulnerable children in the UK. The promotion closes on 23 March 2008.

NSPCC community fundraiser Stephen Hughes said: "Everyone who enters this text-to-win promotion will make a massive difference to the lives of children in the UK. All the money raised will be ploughed into NSPCC services, such as ChildLine, which provide therapy, support and protection to help free children from cruelty and abuse."

How the donations could benefit children:

• £11  could pay for a 15 minute Ask Sam session on There4me.com - an online support service for young people.
• £28 could answer three calls to the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline from anyone worried about the well-being of a child or young person.
• £70  could cover two months of free phone call costs for a ChildLine counsellor.
• £126 could enable three children to receive an in-depth counselling session with a ChildLine volunteer counsellor.

Ends

NSPCC media office on 0207 825 2516. Out of hours mobile 07976 206 625.

Notes to editors:
1. Entrants may also be charged an additional fee by their mobile phone service provider in addition to the £1.50 cost of each entry. Entrants are encouraged to check with their service provider.

2. All entrants to the NSPCC text promotion will receive the following message in return: 'Thank you for entering this promotion and supporting the NSPCC. To find out more about how you can help put a stop to child abuse, please visit www.nspcc.org.uk'

About the NSPCC:
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. The NSPCC's purpose is to end cruelty to children FULL STOP. Its vision is of a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. The NSPCC runs 180 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. The NSPCC helps over 10,000 children and their families every year.