Campaign to encourage parents to seek help for children's toileting problems

Children’s charity ERIC, which carried out the research, has launched a new campaign to tackle the problem and encourage parents to get help earlier.

The survey of 1,000 families revealed that 60 per cent of families waited over a year before seeking advice.

One in 12 children suffer problems including bedwetting, constipation, soiling and daytime wetting, according to the charity, which last year helped 120,000 families.

Jenny Perez, ERIC’s director said, ‘We regularly hear parents that contact ERIC say they wish they got help earlier. We know from experience that the earlier families get help for childhood continence problems, the better. There is no need for children and young people to suffer unnecessarily and in the majority of cases, a solution can be found.

‘One in 12 children and young people suffer from continence problems, causing shame, embarrassment and isolation. The STOP the Issue Ballooning Campaign will raise awareness to let families know they aren’t alone and help is available from ERIC. Last year, ERIC helped 120,000 families. This year, we want to reach 10,000 more.’

The campaign runs throughout June and culminates in what organisers hope will be the world’s biggest e-balloon race, starting on 1 July.

Nurseries and other supporters of the campaign can buy a virtual £2 balloon and follow its progress throughout the week on the charity’s website.

Early years settings can hold their own virtual balloon race or join in with the charity’s Big E-Balloon Race to help raise £10,000.

The race ends on 7 July and the winners of each race will be entered into a prize draw to win a hot air balloon trip.

• To join the balloon race click here.