From London to Paris: The Flintshire nurse peddling for NSPCC

A Childline volunteer from Flintshire is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for the NSPCC as she sets off on a gruelling bike ride from London to Paris.

Lynne Grundy and her husband Ben from Rhosesmor, near Mold, will set off today, July 19 on the 308-mile ride to the French capital with a large group of cyclists who will be raising funds for a variety of charities and good causes.

Lynne, who is a nurse and mid-wife working in research and development with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, has been a Childline volunteer for nine years putting her counselling skills to use at the NSPCC’s base in Prestatyn.

She has been training for the four-day fundraising trip with up to three cycling sessions a week as part of her general triathlon training programme.

Lynne said, “It’s a great way to raise money for the NSPCC.  We are really looking forward to the challenge although the route involves a lot of hills.

“I started volunteering for Childline in 2014 because I wanted to use and develop my skills.

“In my role as a volunteer Childline counsellor I see first-hand the fantastic service that Childline provides to children and young people. 

“The demand is always there; it is clearly a needed service, and it is a great feeling knowing that you have been there for children and young people.

“I would recommend volunteering for Childline to anyone – you are really looked after and supported, and the training is fantastic.”

Childline is available every day of the year to support children and young people, whatever their worry or concern and Childline Prestatyn currently has vacancies for Volunteer Counsellors. To find out more please contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Childline has 12 physical bases across the UK, plus one ‘Virtual’ base – a network of around 250 home-based volunteers who help to support young people contacting the service by e-mail.

Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on www.childline.org.uk 

Childline also has a huge online community where children can get support from their peers on message-boards and use expert resources to help them through any issue they are concerned about. 

If adults are worried about children, they can get advice from NSPCC practitioners on 0808 800 5000 or [email protected]