Media royalty Jennie Bond is urging people to donate their old pound coins to help Barnardo’s Cymru change the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children.

The former BBC Royal Correspondent has helped families make money by selling their valuables on the channel’s Cash in the Attic and now she wants people to hunt out their coins for a great cause.

Jennie said: “Unlike the antique treasures unearthed on the hit TV show, the old round pounds will be worthless when they cease to be legal tender on 15 October 2017.

“But for Barnardo’s Cymru they are hidden treasures as every pound will help it continue its vital work supporting disadvantaged children.

“I appeal to everyone to search their homes, down the sides of sofas, on window sills and even the attic for old pound coins, as each one will make such a difference to children’s lives.”

Figures reveal the living room is a good place to start looking as the average Brit finds £3.27 a year down the back of the sofa alone – that’s more than £39 million.

And the research by security company Yale found the average person has £12.70 in coins lying around – that’s more than a third of a billion pounds across the nation’s 27 million households.

Sarah Crawley, Director of Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “Barnardo’s works to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and every year we help thousands of families build a better future.

“But we cannot do it without you. Every single one of the old round pounds you donate will really help to make a difference for every child supported by Barnardo’s.”

Any old pound coins can be handed in at Barnardo’s Cymru charity shops, alternatively, the charity is issuing special coin packs before the pounds go out of circulation on October 15 so it’s easy for supporters to donate coins found.

To order your pack simply call the Supporters Relations Hotline on 0800 008 7005 or email [email protected]

For every £1 donated, 91p is spent on charitable activities, 3p on governance and pension finance costs and the remaining 6p on raising the next £1.

For further information please contact Barnardo’s Cymru Media and Communications Manager Margaret O’Reilly on 029 2043 6229/07827 977830

Barnardo’s Cymru works with more than 8,000 individual young people and families in 94 specialised projects in local communities across Wales. This includes work with children affected by today’s most urgent issues: poverty, homelessness, disability, bereavement and abuse.

Thomas Barnardo’s vision was for no child to be turned away from the help they need. During its 150 year history the charity has helped transform the lives of millions of disadvantaged children in the UK, and continues to help families build better futures. Last year 272,000 children, young people and families were supported by Barnardo’s through more than 1,000 services across the UK, including young carers, care leavers, foster carers and adoptive parents, training and skills and parenting classes. Visit www.barnardos.org.uk to find out more. Follow Barnardo’s media team on Twitter @BarnardosNews