Why leave a gift to the NSPCC?

"Childhood is precious. Once taken away, it can never be given back. I know, I work with abused children and young people every day. I also know that I couldn't help these children and young people without the public's kind support for the NSPCC's work and the gifts in Wills that account for around one fifth of all the donations the NSPCC receives.  
Of course, deciding to leave a gift to the NSPCC in your Will is a big - and very personal decision that you will make in your own time. We understand that your family and friends will probably always come first, but a small percentage of whatever's left, once their needs have been provided for really could help more young lives fulfil their precious potential."

Sharon Haugh, NSPCC Therapeutic team.

Simon's story

Simon's Dad used to hit his Mum and she was increasingly unable to properly look after Simon, who often went to school hungry and dirty. Simon was bullied at school and he worried about his little brother Mick. When Simon's parents separated, Simon and Mick went to live with their grandparents where they were loved, clean, safe and well fed.

But Simon couldn't understand why his mum had rejected him. He was very confused, angry and hurt. Simon was therefore referred to one of the NSPCC's therapeutic teams that specialise in helping children overcome the effects of abuse, domestic violence and neglect.

At first Simon didn't want to talk to his therapist and his play was aggressive, with imaginary fights and animals being killed. As the therapy progressed, Simon began to express his feelings. His play became less aggressive and characters started to be rescued.

One day, Simon selected a toy rabbit; he acted out a play about the little rabbit saying it was hurt and sad. He said that the rabbit was a good boy, but his family didn't like good boys, so the rabbit wanted to wreck everything. The rabbit didn't know what to do because it was only a baby. Simon told the NSPCC worker to rescue the rabbit. At the end of his play, Simon put the rabbit in a box with some puppets and said, "my relatives and friends are going to look after him".

Thanks to his grandparent's love and the support of the NSPCC's therapeutic team, Simon is now doing well at school; he is bright, chatty, polite and clean. The transformation has been dramatic and the future is much brighter.