ChildLine, the NSPCC’s free 24-hour confidential helpline for children and young people, raised almost £12k for vulnerable children and young people in Northern Ireland during this year’s Kennedy International North West 200.

The Kennedy International North West 200 in association with Coca Cola Zero chooses a charity each year to benefit from the exposure of the famous event and help raise money through various activities during Race Week. This year was a great success and Mervyn Whyte MBE, Clerk of Course said of the charity association ‘It was great to be able to help support such an important cause. Childline is a crucial service that the children of Northern Ireland need, and we are delighted that our event assisted in generating a substantial amount of money to help towards the charity and all the work it does for our young people’

Clare McKenzie, NSPCC community fundraising manager said: “We would like to thank the organisers of the North West 200 and the Coleraine & District Motor Club for giving us the opportunity to benefit from this fantastic event.
“Being chosen as the official charity for the North West 200 was an excellent opportunity for us to raise vital funds and awareness of ChildLine in the North West area.“

To help raise funds staff and volunteers organised a number of events including a Flash Harry concert, a sponsored walk around the nine mile track and a bucket collection during race day. A trip in the North West 200 Media helicopter was also raffled allowing the lucky winner to watch a race from the sky on race day.

Clare continued to say: “We would also like to thank all those people who supported us during race week by volunteering and supporting our events. The hardest thing for an abused child to do is summon the courage to speak out about what’s happening to them. We must ensure that we answer these cries for help, at whatever time of day or night they come in.

“The money raised from the North West 200 will help fund the expansion of the two ChildLine bases in Northern Ireland helping to ensure that all cries for help are answered.”