The X Factor helps Childline hit record £1m target

£1,072,333 was raised for Childline last night at the spectacular, star-studded The X Factor Childline Ball – a new record for this annual event.

The fundraiser partnered with Simon Cowell and Syco Entertainment, the creative company behind the iconic talent show and other global formats including Britain’s Got Talent. The event was hosted by Stacey Solomon, who was a finalist in the sixth series of The X Factor and is a Campaigner for the NSPCC.

Stacey said: “I feel really honoured to have been asked to host the Childline Ball. I am passionate about the work of the NSPCC and Childline and feel very proud to say that the money raised will help some of the most vulnerable children in the UK, who may have nowhere else to turn.”

Guests were entertained by a number of famous voices, synonymous with the iconic talent show, including 2017 X Factor winners Rak-Su, 2012 X Factor winner James Arthur and singer-songwriter Grace Davies who was runner-up in 2017. Special guests also included Martin Freeman, Olivia Williams and John Cleese, who hosted the pledge during the evening.

Just Eat was the headline sponsor of the glittering event, which was attended by celebrity supporters and high profile leaders from the media and business worlds.

The Childline Ball is in its 12^th year and during this time the media industry has come together to create a legacy to support Childline. Thanks to generous donations from some of the biggest media companies, last night’s total tipped to over a million pounds.

Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen said: “We thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular evening and even more importantly, raised a fantastic £1,072,333 that we urgently need for Childline.

“At the moment we can only respond to three out of every four desperate young people who try to get in touch. We know we can save precious lives and protect them from pain. This makes events like The X Factor Childline Ball crucial if we are to support even more children in urgent need of our help. A special and heartfelt thanks to Simon, everyone at Syco Entertainment and our Ball Committee for their invaluable support. We are also incredibly grateful for the help of every single guest who has directly donated to charity.”

Speaking of this year’s event, Global Head of Syco Television, Nigel Hall said:

“We were delighted to have been asked to partner with Childline for such an important event. We know Childline provides a vital lifeline for so many young people every year and we are honoured to have been able to help them raise life-changing funds.”

When Childline launched in October 1986 the main point of contact for those reaching out to the service was through a phone box or landline. Now 75% of children contact Childline online, by email and 1-2-1 chat. Childline became part of the NSPCC in 2006.

The post The X Factor helps Childline hit record £1m target appeared first on Charity Today News.