JLR helps heavyweight champ lend knock-out support to NSPCC
World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua helped light up Christmas at an NSPCC centre in Coventry.
The boxer visited Boole House to surprise a group of children with a unique Christmas lights switch-on.
Supporting Joshua was Jaguar Land Rover, which laid on some special transportation for its brand ambassador.
Jaguar and Joshua have teamed up to promote the NSPCC’s ‘Light up Christmas for Children’ campaign, which encourages the public to share their #LightsOn selfie and make a donation to the charity.
Joshua’s festively-wrapped electric prototype Jaguar I-PACE was packed with gifts for the youngsters at the centre.
On his arrival at Boole House, he posed for a #LightsOn selfie and was then quizzed by the children about his boxing career. He also toured the centre to learn about the projects the NSPCC runs for children in the city.
Currently only three out of four calls to Childline can be answered due to funding. More than 8,000 counselling sessions were completed over the festive period last year and the NSPCC is expecting an increase in calls this year.
The aim of the #LightsOn campaign is therefore to enable the charity to answer every call.
Joshua said: “This can be a really tough time of year for lots of people, so when I heard about the NSPCC’s ‘Light up Christmas for Children’ campaign I wanted to come to Boole House, meet the kids and hear about the incredible work that is done there.
“Working with Jaguar Land Rover to give the children such a special surprise was brilliant. It was a privilege to meet them and talk to them about what they can achieve if they set their minds to it.”
Amanda Synott, NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager in the West Midlands, said: “We launched our new fundraising campaign, ‘Light up Christmas for Children’, to help the NSPCC keep more children safe.
“Currently, we simply can’t respond to everyone who contacts Childline, but with Anthony Joshua’s help, we hope to be one step closer to raising the money we need to answer every call.”
Chris Thorp, Director of Responsible Business at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “This Christmas we wanted to shine a light on the NSPCC’s #LightsOn campaign. We have worked with the NSPCC for more than three decades and have been actively involved in the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Group since 1996.
“Since its inception, the group has raised £2.75m for the NSPCC, helping to fund the construction of Boole House and many of its projects.”
To support the NSPCC’s ‘Light up Christmas for Children’ campaign, share your festive #LightsOn selfie and donate £4 by clicking here, or text LIGHTS to 70025.
