For the seventh day of Civil Society Media’s 12 Days of Christmas, we feature Get Connected’s #ConnectedChristmas paperchain challenge. Rate the campaign to win a hamper and a free place at one of our events.

Helpline charity Get Connected is seeking to create a paper chain that is higher than Europe’s tallest building The Shard, which is 309 metres tall.

Links in the chain will feature messages from supporters for their loved ones, young people across the UK and all of the dedicated volunteers giving up their time to keep the helpline running over the holiday season. In its first week it has already made over 70 metres worth of paper chain.

Alison Bowyer has been volunteering with Get Connected for four years and each year she has given up her Christmas Day to help vulnerable young people find the help they need.

Alison said: “For some young people, Christmas can be the loneliest time of the year. There are many reasons a young person could have a tough time over the holidays, but it can be particularly hard for those who are homeless, have family problems or are experiencing depression.

“That’s why it’s so important for Get Connected to remain open during the festive season – so that young people not only have someone to talk to, but they have support to find reliable help if they’re going through a tough time.”

The Get Connected service is available for any young person in the UK, no matter what the issue, and volunteers are available every day of the year to answer pleas for help from children and young people in crisis. Young people can contact the helpline over the phone, by email and web chat and they can also access up to seven weeks free telephone counselling from the service.

People can take part by downloading free templates from Get Connected’s website, where they can also find fundraising ideas.