The wristband comes in adult and special 'small' children's size, includes the NSPCC helpline number and the website address on the inside and is currently available at all Marks & Spencer stores across the UK.

Nick Booth, NSPCC Campaign Director, said: "We're delighted that Marks & Spencer has teamed up with us to help raise much needed funds through the NSPCC wristband. We are always striving to raise awareness of the charity and Marks & Spencer will definitely help us achieve that."

EJ Walker, Community Programme Manager, Marks & Spencer, said: "Ensuring the NSPCC helpline is maintained so that the thousands of children calling get the help they need is critical. The wristbands are available in all our UK stores until the end of August and cost only £1 so we're encouraging customers to show their support by purchasing one the next time they visit us."

For further information please contact:
Marks & Spencer press office: 0208 718 1919
NSPCC media office: 0207 825 2713

Notes to editors:

• In Scotland, money raised will go to the NSPCC's Scottish charity partner, Children 1st.
• Every week in the UK one to two children die following child cruelty (Source: Office of National Statistics, Mortality Statistics)
• A quarter of young people report at least one violent act during their childhood such as being punched, hit with a hard implement, kicked hard, choked or threatened with a knife. (Source: Cawson et al., 2000, Child Maltreatment in the UK: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect, NSPCC).
• 31% of children experience bullying (Source: Cawson et al., 2000, Child Maltreatment in the UK: A Study of the Prevalence of Child Abuse and Neglect, NSPCC).
• Three quarters of sexually abused children do not tell anyone about the abuse at the time. (Source: Cawson et al., 2000, Child Maltreatment in the UK: A Study