Text Santa to raise vital funds for Age UK

Age UK will be benefiting from Text Santa again this year, after being selected as one of the six UK charities to take part.

Tom Wright, Chief Executive of Age UK, said ‘Text Santa is a fantastic opportunity for Age UK and we were absolutely thrilled to hear that we had been selected as a beneficiary charity for the second year running.'

Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield & Holly Willoughby and Christine Bleakley & Paddy McGuinness will be presenting the show which airs at 8pm on Friday December 20.

Entertainment extravaganza

Coronation Street's cobbles have provided the platform for many a VIP visit in the show's 53 years. This time, they will be the stage for singer Cheryl Cole, in a sketch specially written to raise money for Text Santa's six chosen charities.

Cheryl said: ‘It's great to be able to support six wonderful charities and I really hope that this year's appeal makes a difference to many lives.'

The Text Santa entertainment extravaganza will feature an exclusive performance by Robbie Williams. Plus other special guest performances to be announced shortly.

‘It's great to be able to support six wonderful charities'

Throughout the night, films will be shown from the six UK based charities, who will benefit from all money raised, with guest celebrities telling the viewers about the moving stories.

Suranne Jones highlights the work of Age UK; Colin Salmon speaks up for Barnardo's; Amanda Holden visits the people behind BeatBullying; Jonathan Ross examines the work of the British Heart Foundation; Richard E Grant profiles CLIC Sargent; Jim Carter explains the role of Help the Hospices.

Get involved

Text Santa is using its head with Hats On Display for Hattitude Day, for a special day of fundraising on Friday, December 20. Anyone who joins in the fun by wearing a hat can donate £1 to Text Santa.

December 9th, sees the launch of Text Santa's ‘Big Volunteer day' with charity opportunities to help someone near you.

Ant & Dec have helped design this year's special Text Santa Christmas Hats and Paul O'Grady has emerged from his hit ‘…For the Love of Dogs' series to design a hat for dogs.

These, and children's Text Santa hats, as well as a range of Text Santa Merchandise are available across the UK at Morrisons, one of the appeal partners.

How your donations will make a difference

The money raised through Text Santa will enable Age UK's local partners to continue to offer vital winter services, including providing:

• Emergency food packages and food shopping services for those who are trapped in their homes
• Blankets and heaters to protect against the extremities of cold
• Reliable, local Handypeople who make sure that homes are safer, warmer and more energy-efficient
• Benefits advice to ensure that those living in poverty have access to benefits to pay their energy bills

Viewers can make donations throughout the appeal via text and phone.

Donate now

Donate online

Donations can be made online at itv.com/textsanta/donate.

Donate by text

You can donate now via text message. To donate £5 text SANTA to 70070.

The Text Santa Fundraising pack is available online at www.textsanta.co.uk.

The packs include information on how to get involved, by showing your ‘Hattitude' while raising money for Text Santa, and helping the charities help someone near you.