Eden teens are 1st Childline Champs

Edenderry Youthreach is the first group in Ireland to “Stay Silent So That Children Can Be Heard” in aid of Childline.

The group of teenagers became Ireland’s first Childline Champions when they took part in Childline’s sponsored silence campaign on July 17 last.

The normally chatty bunch participated in a communications blackout totalling 25 minutes, with no speaking, emailing, Facebook, texting or Twitter during that time.

“Stay Silent So That Children Can Be Heard” is a celebration of Childline’s 25th anniversary and represents how Childline has been breaking the silence for children of Ireland since first answering calls in 1988.

Childline is asking the people of Ireland to spend 25 minutes in silence to consider the five million children in Ireland who have called the service since it began and to think about the courage it has taken for each one of them to reach out, pick up the phone and ask for help.

Taking the campaign even further, the Edenderry Youthreach group also organised a fun day to involve the whole community of Edenderry and a total of €337.69 was raised from the day’s activities for Childline.

Childline community fundraiser Emma Hayden said this week she’s “delighted and impressed” with the enthusiasm and generosity of the Edenderry teens.

'They showed great initiative in being the first Childline Champions in Ireland and have set the bar high for the rest of the country,” she said.

More information on organising your own silent fundraising event is available by visiting www.ispcc.ie or contacting Emma Hayden on 085 8042724 or ehayden@ispcc.ie.