Age UK and John Lewis launch Christmas partnership

Dame Helen Mirren joins Age UK and John Lewis to call for action on loneliness this Christmas

Age UK today launches the next stage of its Christmas 2015 partnership with John Lewis to call for support for the million older people who can go a month without speaking to anyone.

John Lewis's Man on the Moon advertising campaign which launched on Friday 6th November has raised awareness of the issue of loneliness and helped drive support to Age UK. Today, Age UK is calling for more people to help by donating to the Charity. Donations will fund services that help some of the one million older people who go for a month without speaking to anyone and have nowhere else to turn.

The campaign is being launched with a fundraising appeal featuring unseen footage from the set of John Lewis's Man on The Moon advert, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren and made by John Lewis for Age UK. The appeal highlights the loneliness some older people may experience this Christmas and calls on viewers to help make a difference.

John Lewis shops across the country will be fundraising as well as pairing up with a local Age UK to support a Christmas lunch or social event. Every shop will also include a local Age UK as part of its Community Matters charity initiative, and 25% of the sale of every Man on the Moon mug and Christmas card will be donated to Age UK.

Esther Jackson, Marketing and Fundraising Director at Age UK said, "The Man on the Moon advert has really struck a chord with people, helping to raise awareness of loneliness amongst older people and we are thrilled to be able to announce this next exciting phase of our partnership with John Lewis.

"Loneliness can be devastating and we hope this appeal will both cement this huge issue even further into public consciousness and drive vital donations to help us provide companionship, advice and support through a range of services. We also hope it will continue to get people talking about this important issue and inspire action - we all have a role to play as individuals, families and communities in helping ensure older people feel valued and included so that no one feels lonely at Christmas time, or any other time of the year."

Craig Inglis, Customer Director at John Lewis said: "We have been overwhelmed by the response to the Man on the Moon and are delighted that it has helped to raise awareness of the issue of loneliness amongst older people. We are proud to continue our commitment to Age UK and this important cause by supporting their fundraising appeal and through the involvement of the Partners (staff) in our shops."

As the festive season approaches Age UK is calling on people to remember those facing Christmas alone and help make a difference to older people's lives by donating £5 today and texting ‘MOON' to 70111* or go to www.ageuk.org.uk/moon. The money raised will help Age UK to deliver companionship, advice and support through a range of services, including the Charity's national advice line, which is open 365 days of the year, including Christmas Day.

Age UK has developed tips and advice for those wanting to run their own fundraising events that can be downloaded from: www.ageuk.org.uk/moonpack.

The new fundraising appeal launches on social media channels on Friday 20th November.

The appeal can be viewed on www.ageuk.org.uk/manonthemoon and on the Age UK YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ageuk from 8am Friday and John Lewis at www.youtube.com/johnlewisretail.

-ENDS-

Media contacts:

For more information, please contact: Marilena Luxmoore, Media Officer at Age UK on 0203 033 1204 or email Marilena.Luxmoore@ageuk.org.uk or Hannah Barker-Green, Senior Media Officer at Age UK on 0203 033 1427 or email Hannah.Barker-green@ageuk.org.uk.

Notes to editors:

Text CHRISTMAS to 70111* to donate £5

*Terms and Conditions:

Age UK provides a range of services and your gift will go wherever the need is greatest.

You will be charged £5 plus one message at your standard network rate. Age UK will receive 100% of your donation. By using this service, you agree that we may text and call you in the future, from time to time. If you'd rather we didn't, text DECLINE to 85010.

Age UK is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Our network includes Age Cymru, Age NI, Age Scotland, Age International and more than 160 local partners.

Age UK

We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI and our local Age UK partners in England (together the Age UK Family). We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK believes that everyone should have the opportunity to make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances. We provide free information, advice and support to over six million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).