Clinton backs UK charity's battle against child abuse
Former US President Bill Clinton today spoke of the “vital importance” of protecting children around the world as he threw his support behind a charity’s campaign to eradicate child abuse.
Speaking ahead of a fund-raising dinner in aid of the NSPCC’s Full Stop campaign, Mr Clinton praised the work of the UK charity to end child cruelty and said that “so many suffer so much”.
“The NSPCC is an outstanding beacon of hope for children in the UK. Full Stop has an extraordinary mission – to bring the suffering of child abuse to an end,” he said.
The former president was at the event, being held at Knowsley Hall in Liverpool, to announce a record-breaking donation to the charity.
Manchester-based businessman Mark Langford and his wife, Debbie have given £6m (€9.37m) – a sum thought to be the largest-ever amount given in the UK for a social cause and will be used to help set up an NSPCC listening centre project in Manchester.
Chairman of the Full Stop appeal, the Duke of York, thanked the couple for their donation.
He said: “Children for generations to come will never know Mark and Debbie, but they will have them to thank for helping them live safer and happier lives.
“I, everyone at the NSPCC and all the children we help thank them most sincerely.”
Mr Clinton and the Duke were expected to join around 850 guests, including entertainers Cilla Black and Tom O’Connor, at the black tie winter ball.
