What was your favourite game as a child? The NSPCC is urging people across Suffolk to relive the fun they had in their childhood by bringing back the games they played as a way to raise funds.

The charity’s Bring Back Play initiative is a way to have fun while raising money.

Suggestions from the charity include a 24-hour monopoly marathon, a five-a-side football tournament or a superhero fancy dress day.

NSPCC regional head of fundraising, Christian Morris, said: “As we get older it’s easy to take life too seriously.

“We focus on our careers, our bank balance, our responsibilities. But we want people to remember how good it felt when they were younger to have the freedom to play, when it was all about friends, fun and laughter.

“The NSPCC uses play therapy to help children recover from neglect and abuse. By playing, they can make sense of what has happened to them, build their confidence and start to trust adults again.

“With your support the NSPCC can help these children to have the happy childhood they need to thrive.”

He added: “£5 raised through Bring Back Play could pay for a pack of paints to help a child express what has happened to them, £10 could pay for children to use a toy telephone to say things they are too scared to say to anyone else, and £50 could buy a child and their family one-to-one support with a practitioner who can, over time, help them find the road to recovery.”

The NSPCC has issued the following guidance on how to get involved:

• Choose a date in May to hold an event

• Invite friends, family, colleagues to get involved and donate

• Pledge their support via the NSPCC website at nspcc.org.uk/play to let the charity know what you’re doing

• Share events on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #PLEDGETOPLAY

• Have a great time and then send the money to the NSPCC.

A range of materials have been developed to help people plan and stage their events including a fundraising guide and printable invitations, which can all be downloaded from the website www.nspcc.org.uk/play