In South Asia, thousands of children have their childhoods stolen from them when they are separated from their parents and families, displaced from their homes, and imprisoned in an orphanage economy where they can be exploited and trafficked. The first £500,000 raised by Allen & Overy will support their work in Nepal and India to rescue children from abusive institutions and strengthen families. The rest will support Hope and Homes for Children's wider work to protect children from harmful institutional care and eliminate orphanages for good by tackling the root causes of family breakdown.

Orphanages do not protect children. They harm them.

Over 80% of children confined to orphanages today are not orphans; they have at least one living parent or other relative. Children in orphanages are often subject to high levels of abuse and neglect. Without family to care for them, or friends to play alongside, they live in a world without love. The impact of this can last a lifetime. Some don't survive at all.

With the right support, children who live in orphanages can be safely and successfully returned to their birth families or extended families; they can join loving foster families or, if they are old enough, they can be supported to live independently.

Thank you for your support of this partnership which will change the lives of so many children and young people, in giving children what they want and need most - a stable, loving family.