Hi everyone thank you for taking the time to view my profile! My name is Shane Hilliard and I am a second year commerce student here in University College Cork. I'll get straight to the point and tell you exactly what 100minds is and why we're running this enormously important campaign.

100minds was founded in 2013 by Declan Egan. It is a voluntary run, non-profit, social enterprise founded for the sole purpose of raising much needed funds for extremely deserving causes. Each year 100minds brings together some of Ireland's most proactive, creative and hard working students and connects them with a chosen charity. The objective for these students is to then run fundraising projects that will help develop their skill set and allow them to apply their theoretical learning from college in a practical way that benefits others. Since being founded 100minds has raised €138,000 for Templestreet Children's Hospital and €247,000 for Barnardos and Blossom Ireland. This year we're looking to make 100minds an even greater success by raising a massive €1,000,000 for ISPCC Childline and with one thousand highly motivated students working to raise €1000 each, I fully believe this figure can be achieved and hopefully surpassed.

Childline itself is a service which provides free, confidential, over the phone, counselling to all children up to the age of 18. This service is open around the clock every day of the year and is always prepared to provide a patient listener and words of advice to a child in need. I can't stress enough how important Childline is as they continuously seek to empower those who feel powerless and support those who feel isolated and overwhelmed. Last year alone there were 652,382 calls made to Childline. That's over half a million children who were brave enough to seek help. Whether it be in regards to bullying, mental health issues, family problems, drug abuse or sexual identity for Childline no problem is too big or too small. Sadly due to a huge shortfall in funding only 462,505 of these calls were answered.

The situation for Childline recently reached crisis point as they were almost forced to close their night line, with 11% of calls coming at night time this would mean roughly 200 calls per day would go unanswered. Thankfully due to some emergency funding and a government deal they were able to remain open. However the situation for Childline still remains tenuous and with so many unanswered calls last year I'm asking you to please donate whatever you can to this great cause in the hope that we can give all of these brave children the help they deserve. All donations large and small collectively make a huge contribution to Childline so don't be afraid to give a few euro it will be greatly appreciated both by myself and by the children who avail of this crucial service.

Once again thank you for taking the time to read all of this, I will be running events in the coming months so make sure to keep an eye out and show your support for this magnificent cause by coming along!

For more information please see:https://www.100minds.org/abouthttps://www.childline.ie/