Children’s charity the NSPCC has thanked volunteers in Bellingham for their support in helping to protect vulnerable children in the North-East and across the UK.

Bellingham has had an active NSPCC branch for more than 30 years, and raised around £5,000 last year from the local community.

In a special event held at the NSPCC’s North-East service centre, the charity’s chief executive Peter Wanless met Doreen Hunter and Jane Morton of the NSPCC Bellingham fund-raising committee and explained how their work had helped support children when they were most in need.

Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to meet our volunteers from Bellingham and across the North-East, and to get to know our individual supporters who help us protect children and prevent abuse every day.”

The current campaign, Speak out - Stay Safe, aims to equip a generation of children with the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect.

Katy Carmen, NSPCC North-East fund-raising manager, said: “The impact the volunteers have had on the lives of vulnerable children is immeasurable.

“The funds generated by these passionate and dedicated volunteers are essential to making sure we can be there for any child who needs us.”