Iconic TV presenter and campaigner, Esther Rantzen, is to visit Waterstones Drake Circus on Friday 2nd December to sign copies of her new book, “Running Out of Tears: 25 Years of ChildLine”.
The launch of ChildLine was broadcast on BBC TV on October 30th 1987. Watching in her quiet, respectable home in a small rural town was Jo, a clever, troubled 14-year old. Suddenly Jo, the silent victim of sexual abuse by her parents’ closest friend, no longer felt utterly alone. For the first time, she was being offered help, there on the screen. She was one of 50,000 children who tried to ring that night. In the end she got through to a counsellor and her life changed forever.
The book tells the story of Jo and other survivors of child abuse.
Each of these tales is testament to the achievement of ChildLine in teaching the nation how to listen to children who are suffering abuse and giving a voice to the most vulnerable group in society. The book also details landmark events in the last 25 years of ChildLine’s existence: the crucial involvement of Princess Diana; the support from then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; the investigation into a school owned and run by paedophile that would lead to a change in the law; the 250 other children’s help lines set up around the world with ChildLine’s help.
Esther will sign her book between 2.00pm and 4.00pm, and proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the NSPCC.
More information is available by calling Waterstones Drake Circus on 01752 669898.
