Robbie Williams and Manning Stainton help ChildLine to the tune of £3000!
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Photo-caption: Not even the real thing can be as exciting as this! Delighted Robbie Williams ticket winners with ChildLine's Jacquie Cross. And Tony working flat out to help… |
September 2006
A children’s charity in Yorkshire and the North East has received over £3000 in much needed funds thanks to estate agent Manning Stainton and megastar Robbie Williams.
ChildlLine was selected for the donation when Manning Stainton’s Managing Director Russell Manning bought 20 tickets for Robbie Williams’ Roundhay Park, Leeds concert in September.
Russell decided to offer the tickets as raffle prizes which members of staff could buy at £10 a time with all proceeds going to ChildLine. The response from the staff was fantastic, with almost everyone buying at least 1 ticket in aid of this good cause.
Russell was so touched by the staff’s generosity; he decided that Manning Stainton estate agents would match the amount raised by the staff, which helped to make up this very substantial donation.
As a further surprise – and to many shrieks of delight – the company persuaded “Robbie” to drop in to their Moortown, Leeds branch for a photo shoot with the lucky winners. He was actually Robbie’s number one tribute artiste Tony Lewis finding time from a busy concert schedule, but nobody was caring – just enjoying the moment!
ChildLines’s Yorkshire executive Jacquie Cross said Manning Stainton’s gesture was an enormous help in the fight against child abuse:-
“Around 650 children call ChildLine Yorkshire & North East every day, but we are only able to respond to about 300 because of the lack of trained volunteer counsellors. With the support of companies like Manning Stainton we will be able to answer calls from many more children, and are getting close to our ultimate aim of answering every call from every child who needs us. It’s just tremendous!”
Russell Manning said the response from staff was overwhelming:-
“Almost everyone bought a ticket – whether Robbie Williams fans or not – and the icing on the cake was “Robbie” turning up. Each winner will receive a framed photograph of themselves with him as a memento”.
ChildLine is the UK’s free, 24-hour helpline for children in danger or distress. Trained volunteer counsellors comfort, advise and protect children and young people. The number for children to call is 0800 1111
