The Clerkenwell based The Children's Society today welcomed local MP Emily Thornberry as she backed their campaign for disabled children. Emily and a group of disabled children posed with a huge pair of red inflatable lips to call for a bigger voice for disabled children.
Emily wants all disabled children placed away from home to have an independent advocate. Over 13,000 disabled children are placed away from home but only 1 in 20 has an independent advocate. An independent advocate visits disabled children and helps them get across their views, know their rights and take part in decisions affecting their lives.
Emily is taking her support for disabled children a step further by trekking across the arctic to raise money for the Children's Society. She is part of the first ever ‘Westminster Challenge' team of politicians trekking 300 kilometres across the Arctic Circle by husky sledge.
Emily said:
"I'm taking part in this challenge so The Children's Society can keep campaigning for disabled children. Disabled children placed away from home are one of our most vulnerable groups. We need to make sure their voice is heard."
Martin Field, Director of Fundraising at The Children's Society, said:
"The Children's Society relies on donations to support our campaigning work. By trekking across the Arctic Emily will be helping to ensure we can keep standing up for disabled children. I would encourage people to support her."
Donations to help Emily raise funds for charity can be given by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/emilythornberry or texting ‘ice' to 84858 to give £3, minus network charges.
Taking place in February, the Westminster Arctic Challenge is the first expedition of a new cross party organisation called The Westminster Challenge. Established by people from across the political divide, The Westminster Challenge aims to engage politicians directly in the work of charities in the UK. Other charities benefiting from the challenge include Crime Stoppers and Cancer Research UK.
Four other MPs will also be on the expedition through Finland, Sweden and Norway to the Tri-nations Border north of the Arctic Circle. The MP team, which also includes Nick Clegg (LD), Tobias Ellwood (Con), Ed Vaizey (Con) and Jenny Willott (LD) will endure temperatures reaching as low as minus 40 degrees. More information at http://www.westminsterchallenge.org/.
Emily also visited The Children's Society's Headquarters in Margery Street, Clerkenwell. She met the team working on the campaign and heard more about The Children's Society's current work.
