Sheree Murphy(Harry Kewell)

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Mum Sheree is on the ball

January 16, 2007

FOOTBALLER’S wife Sheree Murphy wants to help new mums and dads score with a Government saving scheme for their kids.

The mother of two is fronting the first-ever Child Trust Fund Week, which kicked off yesterday. The I’m A Celebrity beauty hopes to boost the profile of the tax-free scheme, which was introduced in April 2005. Former Emmerdale star Sheree, 31, is an honorary Aussie WAG — as hubby Harry Kewell plays for Liverpool and Australia’s Socceroos.

Her daughter Ruby was born in 2003 and qualified for a Child Trust Fund cheque. Sheree admits: “When I got the cheque through the post I didn’t understand what it was or what to do with it. Her eldest child, son Taylor, was born in 2001 — before the scheme came into force — but Sheree and Harry decided to open up a savings account for him as well.

The accounts have since been topped up on the kids’ birthdays with money given to them by family and friends. And to encourage them to save, Taylor, five, and Ruby have piggy banks which they top up with pocket money. Sheree said: “When I was asked to front the campaign I was pleased because I think it’s very important to use the CTF cheques to open up an account for your children.”

The actress, who was born in Hackney, East London, and has four brothers, said her parents could not afford to open accounts for them. She added: “Lots of families cannot afford to put money away for kids and I think CTF is a wonderful idea. “When I was 17 or 18 my parents could not afford driving lessons for me and I think Child Trust Funds, which cannot be touched until the children are 18, are ideal for something like that.

“Alternatively, kids could use the money for a computer, a car or anything else that is special. “It’s a little nestegg that you can watch grow and grow. As a parent, it’s quite nice to have that money in the bank for your children. “Since we opened a Child Trust Fund account for Ruby — and the other account for Taylor — we have asked her grandparents and friends who wish to give her a gift to make a contribution to her account — rather than spend money on toys that are likely to be consigned to the back of the toy box within months.

“Lovely as teddies and jigsaws are, I think a nest-egg has more lasting value. “When Ruby is 18, she can put the money towards something really worthwhile. “Whether she uses it straight away or chooses to reinvest it — she will have so many important people in her life to thank.”

Although Sheree and her soccer star husband lead a very comfortable lifestyle, neither come from privileged backgrounds and they are keen their children don’t take money for granted.

As part of the new Child Trust Fund campaign, Sheree visited the Coram Parents Centre — an award-winning scheme which provides community-based training on parenting skills.

It’s used regularly by families in the King’s Cross area of London, many of whom are socially isolated and unfamiliar with mainstream services. It is among a number of not-for-profit organisations including SureStart and Citizen’s Advice which have experts on hand to give parents advice on the Child Trust Fund.

Since the CTF started, more than two million accounts have been opened for children — a 75 per cent success rate among those eligible to benefit. Most of the accounts — 1.8million — have been opened by parents. The rest were created on the children’s behalf by the Government. Newborns qualify for a £250 cheque but if parents have a household income below £14,155 the gift is doubled to £500.

The Government gives the children another £250 or £500, depending on circumstances, when they reach seven. And the accounts can be topped up to a maximum of £1,200 each year.

If parents do not open an account for their child within a year, the Government will open one on their behalf. But that means the child will have missed out on a whole year’s interest.

Sheree said: This is why we are highlighting the scheme. Parents have a lot to do when they have newborns in the house but it really is important to do something with the CTF straight away. Otherwise, your child’s savings won’t start for 12 months.

“There are 60,000 babies born every month so it is vital the Child Trust Fund stays in the spotlight.”