Six thousand young people have been in touch with the ISPCC Childline services since the beginning of the Cheerios’s Childline breakfast week.

A total of 177 conversations were about abuse, while 60 were in relation to mental health.

The campaign which has been running since Monday sees schools and communities organise a breakfast to raise funds for the charity.

Anyone wishing to get involved can do so at childlinebreakfast.ie

Over the past 10 years the Cheerios Childline Breakfast has become one of the biggest fundraisers for Childline, with last year’s event raising over €230,000 for the service.

Childline is the only 24-hour listening service for children and young people in Ireland. Last year, Childline had conversations with almost 400,000 children and young people who contacted the service for help and advice with wide-ranging serious issues, including abuse, violence, exploitation, addiction and suicide.

That translates to 1,089 contacts by children a day.

Donations can be made by simply texting Rise to 50300. Text costs €4. ISPCC will receive a minimum of €3.25. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278