WHSmith and Save the Children Partnership
WHSmith and Save the Children join forces to re-write the stories for Children across Australia.
This year, WHSmith Australia embarks on a long-term partnership with Save the Children.
Celebrating the Company’s 225th anniversary this year, and with a growing network of 100 stores around Australia, WHSmith is embarking on a new partnership with Save the Children to ensure that the most vulnerable and marginalised children in Australia have access to quality education. Funds raised through Save the Children’s collection tins within WHSmith stores across Australia will support all the child rights organisation’s work, including education work. Education has the power to transform children’s futures and Save the Children is determined to ensure that every child around the world gets a high quality education and the chance to fulfil their potential.
With an education, a child’s world opens to endless possibilities. Despite living in one of the most prosperous countries in the world, there are still communities in Australia that are at risk of falling behind:
- 1 in 5 children live below the poverty line (according to the Australian Council of Social Service)
- 1 in 4 kindergarten children have difficulty transitioning to school (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth).
- 60,000 Children are missing out on quality early childhood education (Australian Early Development Census).
- 1 in 3 children in remote communities are developmentally vulnerable when starting school (Australian Early Development Census).
- 1 in 4 young Australians don’t complete year 12 (Centre for International Research on Education Resources)
WHSmith Australia, Managing Director, Carl Hargrave on partnership with Save the Children.
“We are committed to making a positive impact wherever we operate. Our focus was to partner with a Charity that our teams and our customers would be proud to support. Partnering with Save the Children enables us to contribute on a global scale as well as to local community programmes”
Save the Children Australia CEO Paul Ronalds said the organisation warmly welcomed the partnership.
“Save the Children cannot change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the world without the support of generous donors. We are thrilled to partner with WHSmith and thank their customers in advance for helping us make a difference for those most in need.”
Enquiries:
WHSmith: Jennifer Fowler: jennifer.fowler@whsmith.com.au
Save the Children: Lily Partland: 0416355851
About WHSmith Established in 1792 by Henry Walton Smith and his wife Anna in Little Grosvenor Street, London, WHSmith celebrates its 225th anniversary this year. WHSmith is one of the UK’s leading retailers. Stores are present in most significant UK high streets, over 50 airports around the world, as well as train stations, hospitals and motorway service areas. WHSmith was proud to open its first store in Australia back in 2010. To date, we have over 50 stores operating in Australia and over 500 employees.
About Save the Children Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work to ensure that children no longer die from preventable diseases, have the opportunity to learn and grow through access to education, and are safe and protected from harm. In Australia, Save the Children works in more than 200 sites across all states and the Northern Territory running child protection, education and youth development projects. It also supports communities with emergency response and preparedness.In 2016, Save the Children International worked in 125 countries around the world, directly reaching over 56 million children.