Other ways to get involved with Save the Children
Save the Children is the world's independent children's charity. We fight for children in the UK and around the world who suffer from poverty, disease, injustice and violence, working with them to find lifelong answers to the problems they face.
There are many ways to get involved with Save the Children; here are just a few examples. For more information please visit www.savethechildren.org.uk
End child poverty in the UK
Save the Children recently launched a campaign to end child poverty in the UK. Save the Children's Chief Executive Jasmine Whitbread appeared with Gordon Brown on GMTV to discuss the issue. This was followed by a rally by the end child poverty coalition outside the treasury to make sure the treasury heard us loud and clear.
More than one million children are living in families where every decision is a tough choice - between food and clothes, settling a bill, or paying for a school trip.
Growing up poor harms both childhood and children's futures. These children can expect to get fewer qualifications, lower-paid jobs, suffer more health problems, and die younger than their peers.
The UK has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the EU - ranked 21st out of 27 countries. The trap is also getting harder to escape - it is more difficult for a child in the UK to escape from poverty now than it was 30 years ago.
What we are doing about it?
The government has pledged to end child poverty by 2020 and while some progress has been made, they are behind target - children in severe and persistent poverty have been left untouched. At this rate, they will remain there for years to come. We simply can't afford it.
Save the Children believes no child should miss out on the basics of a healthy, happy childhood. Our research dispels myths and shows parents are clearly putting their children's interests first, but children are still going without.
We are proposing seasonal grants for the lowest income families during the winter and school summer holidays. Our research reveals these are the two key times of year when the pressure on the family budget is so acute that many families are pushed deeper into poverty. This alone could lift a significant percentage of these children out of poverty.
But there is more to it than money. Poverty in the UK is a complex issue that affects all aspects of children's lives. To beat it will require a range of policies focused on addressing educational and health inequalities.
It's about our children. It's about our future. We must act together and now. Go to www.savethechildren.org.uk/endchildpoverty to find out more and visit BBC to play an online game.
Taken action for your own community - why not take action for children in the rest of the UK and around the World?
Children deserve justice which is why we campaign for the rights of children worldwide. Do you want to join together with Save the Children to take action? Visit our Take Action pages to see what you can do.
Raise money for Save the Children
School Link is an exciting new way to find out about children in other countries.
Primary school children can play fun School Link games, read stories written by children themselves and learn about what life is like for children living in Pakistan or China.
School Link is a complete primary concept developed for 7-11 year olds. Pupils can work at a computer or an interactive whiteboard; finding out about life in another country. Schools can choose to learn about Pakistan or China.
For more information visit http://www.school-link.org.uk