18 March 2009

Junior League Supports Tenth Anniversary of End Child Poverty

On the tenth anniversary of the Labour Government pledge to end child poverty in a generation, we, as members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty are asking the Prime Minster: “Will you keep your promise Gordon, and improve the lives of millions of UK children living in poverty today?” As the recession bites, an investment of at least £3 billion would provide a vital timely and targeted injection into families in our poorest communities who are hardest hit. Without this £3bn in the forthcoming budget the Government will be 700,000 children short of its target to halve child poverty by 2010.

The Junior League of London is a member and supporter of the end child poverty campaign and reiterates the anniversary statement above in an attempt to keep the Government to their promise.

March 18th sees the tenth anniversary of the historic promise to end child poverty.

To mark the occasion ‘End Child Poverty’ Campaigners are handing in the ‘keep the promise’ petition, members are releasing new reports and all are working to ensure that child poverty will feature strongly on the news agenda.

At this vital time in the countdown to the 2009 Budget we recognise that this message is strengthened by coalition members like us, rallying and responding with a clear call.

About the Junior League of London

The Junior League of London is a UK registered charity comprised of women committed to promoting voluntary service, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. A member of the Association of Junior Leagues International and active in London since 1978, the JLL has over 400 volunteer members who provide more than 20,000 hours of service to the community each year through dedicated programmes that support its vision of eliminating poverty and its effects in London. The JLL raises funds a book for recent arrivals to the capital called Living in London, a week-long shopping event in the Spring (6-15 March 2009) called London Spree, corporate giving, grants and members’ dues.
To learn more about the Junior League and its community projects, to buy tickets to Boutique de Noel in 2008 or a 2009 London Spree Card, to purchase a copy of Living in London, or to find out about the JLL’s next New Members’ Course for volunteers – visit www.jll.org.uk or phone the Junior League office on 020 7499 8159.

Registered Charity Number: 1103298   Registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in England No 5045667

About End Child Poverty

ECP main goals are:
• Inform the public about the causes and effects of child poverty;
• Forge a commitment between and across the public, private and voluntary sectors to end child poverty by 2020;
• Promote the case for ending child poverty by 2020 with this and every future Government.