Judy Murray has joined forces with Children 1st to support a fundraising dinner aiding young people who suffer from trauma and abuse as part of her wider commitment to invest in the next generation.
Murray has emphasised the need for spaces, such as community public sports facilities, to be a safe haven for children and to support those who are victims of abuse.
Guests are invited to a celebrity endorsed, exclusive fundraising dinner to help support Scotland children’s charity, Children 1st, which recognises the importance of sport to help young people recover from trauma and abuse.
Speaking ahead of a dinner as the ambassador, the long-standing tennis coach, and mother to champions Jamie and Andy Murray, said: “I’m a huge believer in investing in the next generation. Most of my work has been with kids and teens over the years. Children are our future, and they all deserve an ability to flourish.”
Alongside celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr, who will curate the event’s menu, Murray will welcome guests to Crossbasket Castle, on the outskirts of East Kilbride, on Saturday, November 23. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the work of Children 1st, which has protected children in Scotland from trauma and abuse since 1884.
Billed as a “one-off, exclusive fundraising dinner”, the event will seek to raise £100,000 from a combination of ticket sales and proceeds from an auction on the night. A number of high-quality auction prizes will be on offer, including an opportunity to win a bespoke dinner prepared by Roux and luxury Getaways.
Read more about the work of Scotland's national children's charity, Children 1st
Highlighting the relationship between increased screen time and declining overall wellbeing, Murray said: “Screens are isolating children from their friends, affecting their mental and physical health and putting them at increasing risks of harm. The threats that kids face today from the online world are like nothing we’ve seen before.”
She added: “We need charities more than ever to create opportunities and look after those who most urgently need support. Children 1st’s purpose is to protect children from all forms of harm - including online abuse - and to help them recover from trauma.
“There are a lot of kids in Scotland who are in crisis and need help. It’s really important we come together to help keep children safe. Children need to be protected in different ways and with our support Children 1st will continue to be here to do that.”
This event aims to secure funding to ensure Children 1st services can continue to support children across Scotland.
Murray added: “Without specialist help trauma and abuse can have a devastating impact throughout the rest of a child’s life. Children 1st support kids across Scotland for as long as it takes for them to recover from harm, but sources of public funding are shrinking. Without donations they simply cannot be there for the children who desperately need their help.”
Statistics provided by Children 1st reveal at least 37% of sexual crimes recorded in 2022/23 related to a victim under-18. This is more than 5,000 young people suffering trauma in Scotland. It is estimated that one in three children experience at least one traumatic event before the age of 18. Without help to recover these experiences can have a life-long impact on children’s lives.
Children 1st runs vital services to prevent harm to children by offering families practical, emotional and financial support to keep children safe and to help them to recover. The charity also has national services, including a support line, a financial wellbeing service, and a partnership with sportscotland which works to ensure young people remain safe while participating in sport.
For ticket details: https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/CrossbasketDinner2024
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