Press releases
Stars back Barnardo's poverty campaign
Release Date: 18/02/2009
Brian Belo and Chris Parker joined Barnardo's in its bid to end child poverty.
The Big Brother star and actor-turned-presenter took to the children charity's campaign couch by Tower Bridge, in London, to push the Prime Minister to put an end to suffering of youngsters throughout the UK.
There are currently 3.9 million children in poverty across Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales – that's 1 in 3. Barnardo's is increasing pressure on the Government to end child poverty in the run-up to April’s Budget. It wants £3 billion committed to halve child poverty by 2010 – if it doesn’t Labour will have failed to meet its own target in tackling this social injustice.
As part of Barnardo’s push it is asking the public, politicians and celebrities across the country to take a seat on its special sofa and say why they agree. Brian said:
£3 billion can buy a lot of things, but the most valuable would be happy childhoods for the 3.9 million youngsters in our country who are missing out.
Growing up should be fun, but that’s hard for those children whose parents can’t even afford to feed them properly, no matter about take them on holiday.
Chris said:
I've worked with children's charities for a long time now, but I've only recently seen first hand children living in poverty.
It’s shocking and we have to do something about it – we shouldn't hide from it any more.
The end result of the Barnardo's tour will be featured on YouTube and Barnardo's website from 6 March.
Notes to editors
- For more information contact Rebecca Goding on 020 8498 7534 or 07717 508677.
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