A children's charity is embarking on its first marketing campaign with the help of students at Canterbury Christchurch University.

The campaign for the Smeeth-based Caldecott Foundation is entitled Stop the Rain and depicts a vulnerable child being swamped by grey cloud and pounding rain.

The umbrella that the child holds symbolises the shelter and protection given by the foundation in such hostile conditions.

The charity’s fundraising manager Sam Scott said: “The campaign was created with the help of a talented group of advertising students under the direction of Paul Cook from Insight Bridge (a Kent-based marketing agency), who also lectures at the university.

"The introduction of shelter and protection from the giant Caldecott umbrella tells our story as clearly as we could hope from a picture.

“We need to fund-raise to continue to provide the best possible services to children.

"The extras that public donations help with range from a day trip out to new furniture and fittings for our residential homes.”

This is the first time the charity has launched a marketing campaign.

The creative artwork has been incorporated into a direct mail campaign that will be tested in 10,000 homes.

The charity is asking the public to sign up to its newsletter, become a regular donor or hold a fund-raising event.

To mark the launch of its Stop the Rain campaign, the Foundation has come up with a special Christmas gift idea - paint-your-own wellies.

The sturdy wellies come with stencils and six paint pens to transform them into a work of art.

Spend a rainy afternoon painting, then head out to splash in puddles – and the paint stays put!

As well as being a great gift for a loved one, with each sale of these great paint-your-own wellies, a 20 per cent donation will be made to The Caldecott Foundation.

The wellies cost £12.95 (20 per cent donation to charity) and £4.95 for postage and packing.

To order your pair of wellies, go to www.handpickedcollection.com or call the 24hr order line 0845 6023578 quoting 'CALDECOTT’ with your desired colour and size.

Last orders in time for Christmas must be placed by December 18, 2009.

• The Caldecott Foundation is also going to award a prize for the best wellie artist.

Simply send in a picture of your painted wellies by January 31 to Samantha.Scott@caldecottfoundation.co.uk, to be considered by our panel of judges.

• Please indicate on your order if you wish not to receive any further communications from The Caldecott Foundation or the Handpicked Collection.

The Handpicked Collection is a website and catalogue crammed with unusual and inspiring gift ideas for people of all ages.

For more information about the campaign log onto www.thecaldecottfoundation.co.uk/stoptherain

History of the Caldecott Foundation

• In thelate 19th century, a young woman from a middle class family in the East End of London named Leila Rendel started a day nursery for children whose families, through poverty or neglect, could not care for them.
• The need was so great that a new more permanent building was needed.
• In 1911, the Caldecott Nursery was founded and named after the famous Victorian illustrator of children’s books, Randolph Caldecott, whose pictures decorated the walls.
• Due to the bombing of London during the First World War, the nursery moved to Maidstone where it became known as the Caldecott Community.
• By 1930, it had grown and cared for some 50 children and also provided them with primary education.
• Most recently the Community became a Foundation and is now based at Smeeth near Ashford.
• The modern Caldecott Foundation cares for the most vulnerable children in the UK who have suffered cruelty and neglect.
• It provides a full range of care services including assessment, 52 and 38 week residential care, education, therapy and fostering.
• To make an online donation to The Caldecott Foundation visit www.thecaldecottfoundation.co.uk or call 01303 815697.

I came from a rough family with a history of abuse.

When my dad left when I was really young it led to me and my brother getting hurt.

So we were unsafe and noticed by social services who were keeping an eye on my family.

I went into foster care and I was abused physically, mentally and sexually.

I did not know right from wrong so my behaviour was different than children my age.

Even when my other family tried to look after me, it just ripped at the seams.

My last foster placement was lovely and my foster family was lovely too.

But even though they tried really hard, my behaviour was too difficult, so I came to Caldecott because it was unfair on them.

Even in Caldecott my behaviour was still bad. I was so annoying.

When I saw people leave (move on from Caldecott) I knew I had to clean my act up. So I did.

Then adults became really understanding, and then it started to feel like home.

Christmas was the best - the feeling of knowing you’re not the only one without your family was so great.

My progress in my behaviour got noticed and I went to a smaller house in Caldecott.

I did cooking and cleaning and gained their trust, and as I settled in well I have gone to mainstream school.

It is okay - I am getting bullied but I want the best GCSEs I can get so I have to try.

I think I am special for going through what I have gone through and coming out the other end still with a smile. It’s great.

I am hoping to get a foster family. I have my fingers crossed for it to be happy this time.

Poppy (not her real name), aged 14