IMAGINE IF WE ALL DID “JUST ONE THING” FOR THOSE CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY – WHAT A DIFFERENCE WE COULD MAKE!

  • www.beyondtheschoolrun.com and Kids Company join forces to launch ‘Just One Thing’ initiative
  • Laura Bailey, model and writer supports ‘Just one thing’ campaign

Beyondtheschoolrun.com and Kids Company (www.kidsco.org.uk) are inviting you to be part of “Just one thing” – a new initiative launching February 2013.  It’s simple: we’re asking parents to offer just one thing to help those children suffering from neglect, abuse and deprivation in the UK, whether that’s a skill, a gift, an idea or time.

If every parent offered just one thing, the combined impact could make all the difference.  Not only that – if you are looking for an opportunity to return to the wider world following those all-consuming early years of parenting  – then this may just be the step you are looking for.

So here’s the issue.   There are staggering 3.6 million children living in poverty in the UK. 1.6 million of whom live in extreme poverty.  These exceptionally vulnerable children not only negotiate significant challenges in their family homes, they also face immense threat within their neighbourhoods.  The positive news is that Kids Company has proven children CAN be helped and nurtured to find their true talents and aspire to achieve.  So let’s use our talents, passions and skills to start to make a difference – it may be as little as just one thing!

And this is how it works.  Just log on to www.beyondtheschoolrun.com/just-one-thing and enter your pledge of help.  There will be a list of ideas and suggestions on the website should you need it.  You may be:

  • A budding artist and can create a painting for a child’s bedroom
  • A trained lawyer and can offer  your time to help a child in trouble
  • An employee of an organization that could offer training for mothers or young people
  • An entrepreneur who may come up with an idea which may help address the issues associated with UK poverty

So why not grab a coffee after school drop off and take a moment to ponder your talents or if you find inspiration in a group why not gather a few mums at the school gates and start a discussion?   Whatever you can offer, we will endeavor to turn your ‘Just One Thing’ pledge into reality.  Over the course of a year we hope to see hundreds of Kids Company children helped by parents from across the UK.

Laura Bailey, model, writer & cultural ambassador for the British Fashion Council “The ‘Just one thing’ campaign created by Kids Company and www.beyondtheschoolrun.com is a truly inspired concept.  As a mother and passionate supporter of Kids Company, I love the idea that as parents we can come together to use our skills, creativity & compassion to make a difference to the lives of those children who are in such need of our help right now.   The combined impact of each of our offerings, however big or small, really could make all the difference!”  

Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company says; ‘”Often, people think what they have to offer is too insignificant, and will not transform damaged lives.  What they don’t realise is that, in the exchange of kindness, something big and beautiful happens. A child who has lost dignity will regain it in the knowledge that you cared. Give yourself a gift – be transformative!” 

Louise Webster, Founder of Beyondtheschoolrun.com says; “The ‘Just One Thing’ campaign is about recognizing that there is a large part of society – parents – who have a range of skills and talents that when utilized could collectively make a difference to theirs and the lives of others.  I think this is an opportunity for parents to show what they are made of and together face the huge issue of poverty affecting so many families and children across the UK.  I believe if we each do one thing, however small, we can make a significant difference.”

ends

For further information please contact:
Louise Webster
Beyondtheschoolrun.com
T: 07979 241 458
F: beyondtheschoolrun.com
T: @beyondtsr

Notes to editors

ABOUT KIDSCO & BEYONDTHESCHOOLRUN.COM

About Kids Company (www.kidsco.org.uk)
Reg Charity No. 1068298 Kids Company was founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996 and provides practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable children. Their services reach 36,000 children and intensively support 18,000 of these across London, including the most deprived and at risk whose parents are unable to care for them due to their own practical and emotional challenges.

About Beyondtheschoolrun (www.beyondtheschoolrun.com)
Launched in March 2012, www.beyondtheschoolrun.com has been created by Louise Webster to utilize and showcase the wisdom and talent of those parents who no longer fit into the conventional working hours.  In the short period since launch the enterprise has attracted over 22,000 page views in the first 6 months, attention across the globe as well as an invitation to discuss the concept at No 10 Downing Street.  Louise Webster is a mother of two and a specialist in the kids and parents industries having previously set up Rare Communications, a niche PR agency.

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