A SKIP hire business has donated more than £3,000 to the NSPCC after raising money at the end of last year.

Brampton Skips has donated £3,694 to the children’s charity after raising money between October and December 2019.

For every skip hired during these months, the company donated £1 to the NSPCC – and Sweeney’s Insurance then donated an extra £200 to bring the final figure up to £3,894.

Rick Allan, the owner of Brampton Skips, said: “I recently contacted NSPCC and asked if I could meet with them and was both appalled and astounded by what they told me happens on our doorstep here in Cumbria.

“I had no idea the scale of abuse that many children in Cumbria are being subjected to and witnessing things a child should never have to see.”

Data from the NSPCC shows that the number of sexual offences against children hit a high in Cumbria, with 1,037 offences being recorded in 2018/19.

Sandra Jones, community fundraising manager for the charity, said “We are so pleased that Brampton Skip Hire company are helping us fight for every childhood in Cumbria.

“The statistics on child abuse are appalling, but the NSPCC is determined to end child cruelty, and help children to rebuild their lives.”

The money will be used to support a therapeutic programme in Carlisle called Letting The Future In, which helps children to develop their confidence after abuse.