WALES rugby star Sam Warburton has become the first NSPCC Cymru ambassador for childhood.

The former Lions captain has been a long-standing supporter of the NSPCC, most notably raising £100,000 during his 2019 testimonial year - £30,000 of which funded all 12 of the UK’s Childline bases for a whole day.

The new role comes as the NSPCC launches its Childline Club Cymru initiative, which helps businesses and individuals to support children and young people across Wales. Childline, which has bases in Prestatyn and Cardiff, provides children and young people across the UK with a safe, supportive and confidential space where they can get information and advice, talk and be listened to, and start to get the help that they need.

Warburton, a father-of-two, will rally like-minded businesses across Wales to get involved in the club.

Warburton (centre-right) will help to promote the NSPCCs new initiative for Childline, which has bases in Prestatyn and Cardiff. Picture: NSPCC

Warburton (centre-right) will help to promote the NSPCC's new initiative for Childline, which has bases in Prestatyn and Cardiff. Picture: NSPCC

“It’s a privilege to be an NSPCC Wales Ambassador for Childhood and a role I am very proud of,” Warburton said. “The work of the NSPCC is absolutely vital for the well-being of our younger generation who face many challenges in today’s climate.

“I’ve seen first-hand many of the volunteers and staff at work and they are inspirational and life savers.

“I am excited to help launch Childline Club Cymru today and cannot wait to contribute further. As a father, it gives me great satisfaction that this service exists for children and we must all work hard to continue to fund it.”

On average, before the pandemic, a child contacted Childline every 20 seconds. Mental and emotional health has been the top concern for children and young people since the start of the pandemic – with many contacting Childline because they don’t feel able to talk to anyone else.

NSPCC ambassador for childhood Sam Warburton with Hywel Peterson, NSPCC divisional vice president for Wales. Picture: NSPCC

NSPCC ambassador for childhood Sam Warburton with Hywel Peterson, NSPCC divisional vice president for Wales. Picture: NSPCC

As an ambassador for childhood for the child protection charity, Warburton, 32, joins other high-profile names such as Ant & Dec but he is the first to hold the Wales title.

NSPCC divisional vice president for Wales, Hywel Peterson, said: “I am delighted that Sam has accepted the invitation from our Chief Executive Peter Wanless to become NSPCC Wales Ambassador for Childhood in recognition of his support for NSPCC Cymru - it is richly deserved. Sam’s support for the NSPCC in Wales has been outstanding, from choosing us as the main beneficiary charity for his hugely successful testimonial year to the fantastic support he continues to provide.

“He is generous with his time and in particular with his support of the NSPCC’s Childline service – using some of his donation from his testimonial year to fund Childline across the UK for a whole day.”

Hywel adds: “Every child deserves to feel safe and to be heard, and that’s what is so great about Childline – it has trained counsellors there to listen to a child’s concerns no matter how small or big it may seem.

“Childline Club Cymru provides businesses and individuals across Wales with the chance to be part of something rather special – making sure every child across the country has somewhere to turn when they need it."