THE free, confidential, 24-hour helpline, ChildLine, is expecting to carry out more than 2,000 counselling sessions from children and young people across the UK this month.

ChildLine provides a lifeline for thousands of children at Christmas. To ensure that trained counsellors can continue to listen and offer help, advice and support to children and young people who need to talk, even on Christmas Day, the NSPCC has launched its Christmas Call for Help Appeal.

Visit nspcc.org.uk or text HOPE to 70744 to donate £4 and help answer a call to ChildLine this Christmas.