| In the late nineteenth century, Edward Rudolf, a young Sunday school teacher and civil servant in South London, found himself confronted by the brutal effects of poverty on the lives of children. When two young boys failed to turn up for his Sunday school, he went to look for them and was shocked to find them begging for food on the streets. Their father had died, leaving their mother struggling to bring up seven children under 11 years old. Theirs was not an isolated experience and Rudolf was moved to act. He approached an Archbishop, and expressed his concern for children living on the margins of society, and suggested that the Church of England should be the driver of social action for such children. The Archbishop agreed enthusiastically and, soon after, the Children’s Society was formed. Not much has changed. Not a week goes by where there is not a story of child neglect, poverty, injustice or child sexual exploitation. The Hard Truth is that Over 3.7 million children live in poverty across the UK. In 2016, 70,000 children will run away from home or care, 1 in 13 will self-harm by the age of 16, and 119,000 children care for a family member at a time when they should be building and transforming their own lives: 219,000 children across the East of England have been categorised as children in need. Get involved and help us change the world for children. We urgently require volunteer speakers to help spread the word about the work we do, in church, and across communities. If you can spare a few hours a month, then please contact Russell Rolph (Regional Fundraising Manager) on 07713 101897 or 01480 456065, or at Russell.rolph@childrens society.org.uk. No experience is necessary. Training and support will be provided. Together we can make a difference. David Thomson | July 18, 2016 at 3:00 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/poSLL-3aB | 