Sadie will scale Ben Nevis to support NSPCC Sheffield

Sadie Charlton, who works as a child practitioner at the NSPCC’s Sheffield Service Centre, will be climbing Britain’s highest mountain in a bid to fundraise for the charity.

It’s hoped that the funds will allow more children and families, including those in Sheffield, to access its services as children adapt to the new normal.

Sadie said: “I’ve seen first-hand how our services have been a lifeline for children and families in Sheffield, and have provided some stability in a world of chaos.

“Children are missing their usual support networks; school, friends, after school clubs, as these all stopped during lockdown.

“However I’ve been able to virtually see children each week and be a consistent person in their lives - someone who they could share their worries and feelings about the future with.”

The centre usually delivers several programmes for children and young people, including Letting the Future In, which supports children and young people with their recovery from sexual abuse, and Seeking Solutions, which supports children with their goals around a specific problem that is affecting them, like confidence, or anger.

Throughout lockdown, Sadie has worked tirelessly as a key worker with the service centre to make sure that the children accessing this support could continue to do so, through virtual appointments and doorstep visits.

Sadie added: “This has only been possible thanks to the NSPCC’s emergency appeal, which saw us call on the public to donate what they could ,so that we could keep service centres and our Childline service open.”

And as children begin to adapt to a ‘new normal’, it’s crucial that they have continued access to therapeutic services, and that’s why Sadie has decided to launch a fundraiser of her own.

Even though Sadie is taking on Britain’s most challenging mountain, which stands at 4,413 ft high, she admits she’s no expert when it comes to exercise.

“Those who know me, know that I don’t get on with exercise,” she said.

“I’ve started and stopped the couch to 5k programme more times than I would like to admit.”

But there is an important cause which will motivate her during her climb.

“Climbing a mountain is a battle, mentally, emotionally, and physically. But for some of these children, every day is a battle,” she said.

“So, when I’m walking up the mountain, I’m doing it for them. I’m doing it to make sure that they know someone will be there to support them and listen to them.

It’s time for us to all work together – to rebuild our society so it’s better for our children, to continue to adapt how we work on the frontline of child protection, and to go further.

“Because no child should be left to cope alone.”

Visit Sadie’s Go Fund Me page here to donate.