Children's Society Hopes to Be Co-Operative Group Charity Partner 2007

The Children's Society has made the shortlist to be the beneficiary of one of the UK's biggest staff fundraising campaigns - the Co-operative Group Charity Partner 2007.

If successful, the Co-operative Group will be a leading supporter of The Good Childhood Inquiry, encouraging involvement of people in local communities.

Co-operative Group staff will also raise money to support the direct community work of The Children's Society and our UK partners, Extern, Aberlour Childcare Trust and Tros Gynnal.

The Children's Society is looking to maximise its chances of winning by encouraging its supporters to vote if they are members of the Co-operative Group as staff and members of the Co-operative Group are currently voting for their 2007 Charity Partner.

The charity is being considered alongside two other charities for the Co-op support.

The Good Childhood Inquiry was launched last month in response to a letter published in The Telegraph by leading experts and professionals in child-related fields who warned that modern life is leading to more depression among children.

"The Children's Society believes that there is a climate of fear and confusion surrounding childhood. The childhood experienced by today's children is significantly different from that of previous generations," said Bob Reitemeier, Chief Executive for The Children's Society.

"Despite our wealth as a nation, the well-being of children in the UK is amongst the lowest in Europe. Too many children in the UK are still experiencing poor childhoods."