BBC RADIO 4 APPEAL SCRIPT
I'm so glad to tell you about a charity I admire, which helps 60,000 children in care in the UK to make a real success of their lives. The Who Cares? Trust is dedicated to making sure children who've had a difficult start in life fulfil their potential.
Imagine for a moment you're an eight-year old who has just been taken into care.
You are away from home, in an unfamiliar environment. Confused, isolated and lost, not knowing what lies ahead, you don't understand why you have been taken away from your family. You may even think it is your fault. You may be in shock because really bad things have happened.
Then once you begin to feel secure and to get close to people around you, you may have to move and start all over again.
I'm afraid this is the harsh reality for some children in care today. It was the story of a child I met in a children's home when I was helping her with her reading. Despite good work being done, too often the range of support may not be there to enable these kids to make sense of the bewildering experience of being taken into care.
Although some young people who've had this tough start go on to triumph, despite the odds - many young people still leave care with few qualifications and have a real struggle to succeed. We want to help them make the most of their lives.
One young person has said: "People think that if you are in care you are different from everybody else. That's wrong. We just need to be given the same opportunities and chances as the rest."
The Trust reaches out to thousands of children in care through its award-winning magazine, telephone helpline and safe online services bringing information to children wherever they are. The philosophy of The Who Cares? Trust is that children in care deserve absolutely first class services.
These kids aren't just somebody else's responsibility; I think they belong to us all. That's why we ask - Who Cares? Please show you do - by helping us to give these children support and confidence to overcome the trauma of their early lives.
You can give now by calling 0800 044 044 or you can send a cheque payable to The Who Cares? Trust, to FREEPOST Radio 4 Appeal - The Who Cares? Trust.
The WHO CARES? Trust is a Registered Charity (No. 1010518).
A Company limited by guarantee. Registered in London (No. 2700693).
VAT Reg. No. 577 8530 91