I would like to say a personal thank you to all of your readers in Sidmouth who have helped support the NSPCC throughout 2013.

Another year that has seen many high-profile child abuse cases and shocking stories of cruelty so severe they’ve resulted in the deaths of innocent children – often at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them.

No one can forget the faces of little Daniel Pelka, Hamzah Khan and Keanu Williams following their tragic deaths. This is a clear indication that whilst the shocking scale and effect of child abuse have moved centre stage in the public consciousness, still more needs to be done to prevent it from happening in the first place, which is why the NSPCC needs your readers’ continued support.

Many primary school children are suffering abuse and neglect. Yet they can wait months, or even years, before contacting us or getting any kind of help.

These are the children you see going to school in the morning, children who live on your street and are part of your community.

Young children who are still learning to read and write, but who can’t find the words to talk about their abuse. Our groundbreaking ChildLine Schools Service uses specially trained volunteers to talk to primary school children about abuse.

Through a series of assemblies and workshops, they will visit every primary school in every community in the UK once every two years to talk to children aged nine to 11 about abuse, how to protect themselves, and where to get help if they need it – and they’ll continue to visit each of these schools every two years.

Your support can help us to empower an entire generation and protect many thousands of children from the devastating effects of abuse.

In the South West, we have five service centres helping local children and families. We’ve made significant strides to help children in Sidmouth and beyond this year, and this is all thanks to people like you and your readers. Without your support, our work stops.

On behalf of all the children and young people that we are able to help, thank you. Please support us again in 2014 if you can.

To make a donation text HOPE to 70744 to give £4 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk

Alison Armer

NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager for Sidmouth