As part of Universal Children’s Day celebrations, Murdo Fraser MSP helped out at Barnardo’s high street store in Perth today.
Marked annually on 20 November, Universal Children's Day celebrates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child, a human rights treaty which sets out the political, economic, civil, health, social and cultural rights of children.
The date also marks the day on which the General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, a series of related proclamations drafted by “Save the Children” founder Eglantyne Jebb in 1923.
Barnardo's was founded in 1866 to care for vulnerable children and young people. As of 2013, it spends over £191 million each year on more than 800 local services and is the UK’s largest children's charity.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Barnardo’s are doing a fantastic job here in Perth and it was a pleasure to meet their staff and help out in their shop.
“During my visit I learnt more about Barnardo’s work in the local community and their plans for the future.
“The volunteers and staff in Perth are extremely hard working and should be commended for the contribution they are making to children’s lives in the area.
“Children in Scotland have access to some of the best opportunities in the world but child poverty is still far too high and the Scottish Government must seriously address this.”