Recycling Programme Launched To Support Butterfly Appeal

Recycling Programme Launched To Support Butterfly Appeal

A Derby charity’s fundraising appeal has got off to a flying start thanks to a recycling initiative spearheaded by a local business.

Safe and Sound recently launched the Butterfly Appeal to raise funds needed to expand its work to transform the lives of children and young people in the county who are victims of or at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

One of the businesses who immediately signed up to back the appeal was Sinfin-based Century Mobile.

The company is collecting old mobile phone handsets which are then recycled and all money collected is donated to Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal.

Century Mobile have already collected unwanted handsets from business customers HUUB and from Derby County Football Club - raising £200 for the appeal.

Century Mobile Managing Director Scott Harrhy said: “As a business committed to supporting local communities and as the father of young children, I was determined to do all that I could to support Safe and Sound.

“We specialise in finding our customers the right mobile phone package to improve their business communications and the recycling of unwanted, obsolete and damaged handsets is therefore the perfect way for us to raise vital funds for this amazing charity.

“We are grateful to both HUUB and DCFC for helping us to get this off the ground and will be spreading the word with all of our customers to support this appeal.”

Mr Harrhy continued: “I was horrified when I met with the Safe and Sound team and learnt the uncomfortable truth about the dangers that our children and young people face at the hands of these evil perpetrators.

“We all know about the dark side of the internet but I was particularly shocked about how easy it is for groomers to find and manipulate children online.

“This is therefore an issue that could affect the lives of any family – whoever they are and wherever they live.

“I would appeal to everyone to search through their office and kitchen drawers and give us their old handsets which we are happy to pick up and make it easy to contribute to this appeal.”

Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison concluded: “We are very grateful to Century Mobile for quickly turning awareness about CSE into tangible action and for their customers who have already supported the mobile phone recycling initiative.

“By simply donating an old, unused handset, we can raise vital funds for the Butterfly Appeal to help us to support even more young people who are vulnerable to or currently facing sexual exploitation.

“CSE not only affects the children and young people targeted by perpetrators but their whole family and the Butterfly Appeal will enable us to support them as well as providing the vital education across the wider public to make them aware of the dangers facing our local communities.”

To recycle your old phones to raise money for Safe and Sound, please telephone 01332 362120 to arrange collection.

For more information about how to support Safe and Sound, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk and follow on Facebook and Twitter @safeandsoundgroup or email fundraising@safeandsoundgroup.org.uk

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