Most calls received by counsellors are about bullying

One of the charity's two Welsh offices - in Rhyl - is holding an open day to attract more volunteers.

It already has more than 100 people who give their time to answer youngsters' pleas for help for 33 hours a week.

Bullying is still the top concern for callers, then family relationship worries and physical abuse.

There are two Welsh offices, with the second in Swansea which is staffed by volunteers and was founded 18 years ago by TV personality Esther Rantzen.

The Wales branch of the charity was launched in 1993 with counsellors offering a free bilingual telephone helpline for children in danger or distress.

Now there are mobile phones the bullying is following them home as well Ann Pulling, ChildLine Cymru/Wales

Ann Pulling, ChildLine services manager at the Rhyl centre, said they were becoming busier each year.

"Those problems have always been there but now children and young people are aware that they can talk to us about them.

"We don't think that the problems have got worse, we just feel that there is awareness that there is help and we can listen to their problems," she said.

Bullying has been the biggest problem listed for the last six years and last year made up 21% of the charity's calls.

"They say they're absolutely terrified, they say they don't want to go school. They say their learning is affected, they're not eating, they're not sleeping," Mrs Pulling explained.

"And now there are mobile phones the bullying is following them home as well."

Esther Rantzen is still closely involved

Men and women from all walks of life volunteer to help the charity and full training is offered. There are around 150 people helping at the Rhyl base, but they are still looking for more.

An open day is being held on Tuesday so the public can see ChildLine's work.

"We're hoping to raise awareness of ChildLine within the community," said Mrs Pulling.

"We're saying come and see what we're doing. Could you offer us a bit of time in any role?"

One volunteer Jan has been taking calls on average once a week for more than two and a half years and said she feels "honoured" to volunteer.

"The (calls) that really do get to me are the suicide ones. It's the children that just don't feel they can go on any more. Hopefully we're able to help them."