Mayor launches new NSPCC business group

John Kay, NSPCC Business Group & Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Jean Hornby

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NSPCC Rochdale and Oldham Business Group was launched by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Jean Hornby, at a 'Silent Auction' (a number of artists donated paintings to be auctioned for the benefit of the NSPCC) event at Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday 21 March. The Group has been formed on the initiative of Martin Ashton of the NSPCC following a discussion with Rochdale Online Director John Kay who for the past three years has been the treasurer of the Rochdale Branch of the NSPCC.

In his opening address Mr Kay explained: "Martin and I were talking at the direct donor evening held by the NSPCC in Oldham a few months ago and he told me of the good work which the Manchester Business Group has done over the past few years. I felt that if Manchester can do it then local businesses in Rochdale and Oldham can do it even better.

"The formation of Rochdale and Oldham Business Group is in its infancy. We already have a small committee and have plans for a couple of events each year to give Local Business  the opportunity of supporting the good work of the NSPCC and helping to stop cruelty to children in the North West.

"I am therefore delighted that our group can be formally launched in an official way by the Mayor of Rochdale."

Mayor Hornby said: "I think it’s a marvellous idea that this group has been formed to raise funds for the NSPCC, such a worthy cause, protecting as it does some of the most vulnerable children in our society.

"I understand from John [Kay] that it is only three years ago that the NSPCC started the Manchester Business Group – yet they have raised a tremendous amount and helped so many children in that short time,

"I wish the group good luck in their endeavours to raise much needed funds and help to protect many more of these children."

NSPCC official Angela Capper attended the event and explained that nationally, 1-2 children die each week in the UK at the hands of a parent or carer and 16% of children will experience some sort of abuse!
 
She added: "Regionally ChildLine received 1500 calls in February from the Greater Manchester area alone. In the last year the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline received 2119 calls from Greater Manchester.

"There are 1470 children on the Child Protection Register in Greater Manchester because they are deemed to be at risk from abuse, and we know this is just the tip of the iceberg."

Mrs Capper thanked the Mayor Hornby for officially launching the Rochdale and Oldham Business Group, and thanked John Kay and his committee for organising the inaugural event and securing the many art works for the auction. The statistics she gave helped to remind everyone why they were there, and why, she said, "it is so vital we need to engage further support".

The evening raised £815.00 for NSPCC in the North West.