Safeway and Y Care International campaign for street children

5 September 2002

Retail chain Safeway is joining forces with Y Care International on a month-long drive to raise awareness of and funds for the charity’s work with street children.

Nearly 350 Safeway stores across England and Wales are set to display collecting tins and posters throughout September.

Y Care International’s Director, Dr Chris Beer, said: “Safeway has helped us in the past by raising funds for our emergency appeals. Now, together, we are addressing one of the continuing emergencies – the presence of so many of the world’s poorest children on the streets, where they are even more vulnerable. With support from Safeway customers we can do something about it, and rescue many young lives.”

Safeway spokeswoman Lynsey Sizer said: “We are happy to be working with Y Care International to raise awareness of their extremely worthwhile projects.”

Y Care International works with street children in many countries, including Rwanda, India, Thailand and Colombia. Its Colombian programme is typical of the charity’s work – the YMCA in the capital Bogotà works with families to stop children from leaving home, and aims to offer alternatives to street life to those children and young people who are already living rough.