Words by Smiley Team
From a young age, Wet Wet Wet lead singer and 2016 winner of The Voice, Kevin Simm, became aware that not all children have a happy upbringing. Learning about this firsthand and going on to have children of his own, Kevin became a dedicated supporter of the NSPCC, giving hours of his time to ensure all children can grow up feeling safe and supported.
His passion for children’s wellbeing runs in the family, with his mother taking calls for Childline, advising and helping young people in difficult situations. His parents even cared for vulnerable children in their spare time, fostering those whose families were unable to look after them.
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“I've had direct experiences of seeing kids who’ve come from homes where they're not really cared for,” Kevin explains, “and so I think the NSPCC is just so important because there's many kids and young people out there who don't feel like they've got anyone to talk to while they're going through horrendous experiences.”
As an adult, Kevin followed his parents’ example, doing sponsored runs and virtual gigs for the NSPCC. He will join the London Marathon on 3 October as well as an additional marathon that same week to raise money for the charity.
Like many, he was hit financially by the pandemic – losing a lot of work – but he continued to fundraise.
“I've been grabbing at all the work I can at the moment and I don't think I've ever been busier - I'm travelling a lot and getting really bad sleep,” he says. “Then I'm dragging myself out to run 18 to 20 miles every day so it's definitely been a challenge."
“But I'll be honest, once I commit to something like this, and especially for the reasons that I have committed to it, there's no way I'm not going to complete it,” he adds.
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Bringing up children of his own is a massive motivator. “Since having children I’ve taken on a different mindset going forward, whereas before, I was always thinking mainly about myself," he says. "I love them so much and I can't comprehend how not all kids have a loving family life.”
His work promoting children’s wellbeing comes from a deep-rooted caring for young people and he hopes others will support his cause, explaining: “Thinking about these young kids who have nobody to speak to breaks my heart. I just want every child to be able to have the option to call the NSPCC if they need to speak to someone or get advice.”
To help Kevin protect young people and children, offering them a stable and secure upbringing, donate to his Just Giving page here.
Find more information about the NSPCC and its work at NSPCC.org.uk.
