LETTER – I would like to thank all of your readers who have supported the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) throughout 2008.

The support and generosity of the public is essential to our goal to stop child abuse as 85 per cent of our funding comes from voluntary donations and fundraising so we are extremely grateful to everyone who has raised money for us.

Money raised locally helps us carry out the vital work we undertake to end cruelty to children. This includes the direct services we provide to children and families, including our helplines, as well as our campaigning work to contribute to changes in the law.

The need for funds is as critical as ever. Over the last financial year the NSPCC Helpline, for adults with a concern about a child, received 301 calls from people in Shropshire.

Our ChildLine base in Birmingham, which takes calls from the West Midlands, counselled more than 19,000 children in need of help or advice.

The hardest thing for a child to do is summon the courage to speak out about what’s happening to them.

We want to ensure we answer all cries for help at whatever time of day or night they come in so this year we launched the Child’s Voice Appeal, which aims to raise £50 million nationally over the next three years.

If you would like to raise funds in your area, either individually, with friends or as part of a company, you can contact 0844 892 0217.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and peaceful new year.

Richard Shawcross, NSPCC