A BIRKENHEAD-based children's charity is urging people not to forget youngsters in care this Christmas by donating to their festive fund.

The National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS) has been selected to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK's biggest online match-funding campaign to help their appeal to help raise vital cash for its support services.

Across the UK, NYAS supports nearly 10,000 children and young people in care and provides them with advocacy and legal representation when important decisions are being made about their lives.

The youngsters that NYAS works with might be in care, have a disability or special needs, be subject to child protection plans, have mental health difficulties or have parents who are separating.

Rita Waters, NYAS chief executive told the Globe: “There are 73,000 children in care in England alone, according to recent government statistics, and, as many of us look forward to sharing a special Christmas with our own children, it’s important to remember those young people for who Christmas might be a particularly challenging and difficult time of year.

“We’re asking the local business community and individuals in Wirral and across the North West to help us demonstrate to these young people that they matter and that we want to make things better for them.

"The money raised will be used to fund a range of NYAS support projects, so essential at a time when funding for children’s services in general is under enormous strain.

"Having been a part of the Wirral and Merseyside community for almost 40 years, we’re confident that the generosity of local people and organisations will shine through when it comes to supporting our campaign, as we strive to give a voice to thousands of under-represented children and young people.

"And the fantastic thing about the Big Give Christmas Challenge is that one donation equals twice the impact.”

To receive the cash boost, donations must be made during Christmas Challenge Week, from November 27 to December 4 and anyone who pledges cash during this time, will see their donation match-funded.

Projects set to benefit from donations include:

  • NYAS’ freephone National Advocacy Helpline, which ensures all young people can easily access advocacy support via the phone and online. The service gives thousands of children access to the help they are in desperate need of, but it costs £170,000 to run each year and receives no official funding.
  • The charity’s Independent Visitor Programme, a befriending project that matches young people with independent volunteers, to share new activities and inspirational experiences.
  • Free legal advice and support for children and young people who fall outside legal aid guidelines and are not funded by Legal Aid.
  • A peer mentoring initiative that enables young people to draw on their experiences and support others in care by training as peer mentors.

For more information on how to donate visit https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/donation/to/9133/23287