SAFE@LAST marks 10th birthday with gala day

SAFE@LAST launched the hotline on 0800 335 7233 for vulnerable young people in 2004 and has answers more than 4,000 calls since then.

It is marking the completion of a decade in service with a free gala fun day at Dinnington Resource Centre from 2pm to 6pm tomorrow.

Guests can join Sam the Mascot and the SAFE@LAST team for an afternoon of live music and performances, including local artist Jay Mya and friends, plus stalls, appearances from Frozen's Elsa and Anna, afternoon tea, ice cream, BBQ, fairground rides and face painting.

The charity’s founder trustee, Hilary Massarella, said: “Young people contact the helpline to seek support and advice on a range of issues including running away, being thrown out, bereavement, bullying, emotional, physical and sexual abuse, drugs and alcohol as well as problems at school and problems at home.

“As well as providing a listening service the helpline is also young people’s essential gateway to access practical support from SAFE@LAST whether that is face to face support or, in a crisis, access to the children's refuge.

“Often, young people who contact us seldom have any other safety net in place and are not known to social services or the police.”

“We launched the helpline ten years ago with a family fun day in Dinnington. “To celebrate this important anniversary, it felt only right to return to the community that has really taken SAFE@LAST to its heart and supported it from the very beginning.”

The helpline costs £27,500 to run each year and alongside the anniversary, SAFE@LAST has launched an appeal to raise funds to keep this service open.

To support the appeal, you can attend the gala day, visit www.justgiving.com/HelplineAppeal or text APPL55 and donate £1, £2, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070.