THE 338 people across Greater Manchester who volunteer for The Children’s Society are the lifeblood of our organisation and are crucial to our fight against child poverty and teenage neglect.

I want to mark national Volunteers’ Week (June 1-12) by thanking all our volunteers, whether they help out in our shops, raise vital funds and awareness, or directly support young people in our projects. They make an amazing difference to so many people’s lives.

I am also grateful to our volunteer campaigners – 1,752 of them in Greater Manchester – who strive to make the law work better for vulnerable children. In the past 12 months they have helped press energy companies to improve their treatment of households who have fallen behind with their bills. They helped persuade Parliament to debate how 16 and 17 year old victims of sexual exploitation are being failed. And in some areas they have helped stop bailiffs knocking at the doors of families with children.

This month we’re stepping things up with a new opportunity for people across Greater Manchester to become local campaigners, directing their energy, passion and commitment to making positive changes for our young people at a local level. Anyone who is interested in being a Campaign Champion or volunteering for The Children’s Society in any other way can find out more at childrenssociety.org.uk/campaign-champion or call 0300 303 7000.

Matthew Reed

Chief Executive

The Children’s Society