Kindhearted pop singer and former X Factor judge Cheryl has been unveiled as the new face of the NSPCC charity Childline!
Cheryl, 33, fronts an emotional new campaign where she is seen sitting on a chair in a school gym, her familiar Geordie tones have been dubbed over and we instead hear the voices of children who have called Childline for help. Amongst the stories from the distressed youngsters, include one teenage girl who is being sexually abused at home, and a young boy who is fearful of telling his Dad that he is gay.
The news of Cheryl being the new face of the children’s charity comes as the NSPCC’s Childline celebrates its 30th birthday. The charity organisation was launched back in 1986 by Dame Esther Rantzen.
Esther has spoken at her joy at getting the famous singer to front the latest advert, saying: “Having someone of Cheryl’s profile who millions of young people admire is one of the best birthday presents Childline could hope for. We are really excited at the awareness that Cheryl will bring to the service, and in particular how she will enable us reach out to even more desperately unhappy young people with nowhere else to turn.
“She fully understands the new dangers young people face today such as sexting and cyber-bullying.
“The reality is that whatever the age or the problem Childline is a free, confidential helpline for any young person – a message that Cheryl will help us take to a whole new audience now that she has joined the team.”
CEO of the NSPCC Peter Wanless, also said: “Welcoming Cheryl as the new face of Childline is an absolutely fantastic way for the service to mark 30 years of helping children and young people.
Through her support we will be able to reach a lot of young people who previously weren’t aware of Childline or perhaps thought that they were either too old or that their problem was not serious enough to warrant seeking help.”
Cheryl also released an emotional statement about her new ambassador role for Childline;
“As a teenager I was aware of Childline, but like so many others I mistakenly thought it was just for young kids. The reality is that it doesn’t matter whether you are at primary, secondary school or college, or how big or small your problem is, Childline is there for you. Life can be hard sometimes, especially while you’re growing up, and everyone deserves someone to talk to and help make sense of it all. That is exactly what Childline is there to do-just listen and help”.
The pop star who grew up on a Council Estate in Newcastle also opened up about her own battles with childhood bullying, saying: “I get what these kids have gone through because I had a tough upbringing and I understand what it feels like to get bullied like some of them”
Along with being the new face of the NSPCC, Cheryl also runs her own charity for young people, The Cheryl’s Trust.
You can watch the emotive advert featuring Cheryl, below:
New Childline figures show a 22% increase over the last three years in the number of counselling sessions provided for young girls aged 12-18 suffering from mental health and well-being issues.
For more information on the work of Childline and how to get help, visit their official website.
Cheryl will be appearing on BBC 1’s The One Show tonight from 7pm to talk further about her new role.
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