Articles

TV's Amanda Lamb says it's not too late to light up a child's Christmas
in aid of the NSPCC

Author: Joanne Oxenham & Tania Ringrose. Published: 8th December 2009 09:51

Amanda Lamb (pictured), A Place in the Sun TV presenter is today reminding people in Bedfordshire that it's not too late to give a child an NSPCC Letter from Santa before the big day. Amanda is asking people in Bedfordshire to support the NSPCC fundraising initiative which gives parents, grandparents, friends and carers the chance to nominate someone special to receive a magical letter from Santa for a suggested donation of £5. The letter is personalised with the child's name and age and is sure to confirm that Santa will be making his usual stop in Bedfordshire to wish everyone a merry Christmas.

The letter is written in a hand script font and is beautifully illustrated on quality colourful paper and the envelope shows that it's been safely delivered through ‘express Rudolph Mail'.

Amanda who recently became a mum herself said: "Christmas is going to be very special this year, as it will be my baby's first Christmas. As a mother, it's very sad to think that this time of year can be a time of loneliness and family tensions for many children. I'm really pleased to be supporting the NSPCC Letter from Santa fundraising appeal and would like to encourage others to give a gift, which not only brightens up Christmas but will make a difference to a child in need."

Sally Phipps, community fundraising manager for Bedfordshire said:" Letter from Santa is a great way to make a child feel extra special this Christmas. The appeal also helps us to raise money to support children who are perhaps not as fortunate. It's not too late to buy your letter so order one now before Santa starts up his sleigh."

"It is important to remember that Christmas is not a time of celebration for every child. Over the festive period last year, ChildLine - a service provided by the NSPCC - counselled over 3,500 children between 24 December 2008 and 05 January 2009 who were in danger or distress and had nowhere else to turn. By supporting this appeal you will be helping to provide support, advice and protection for these children who are in desperate need of help."

Also on offer is a Baby's First Christmas letter from Santa, which is the perfect keepsake for newborns celebrating their first festive season.

To order a letter from Santa for a child you know, visit http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/templates/www.nspcc.org.uk/santa or call 0845 839 9304. Alternatively look out for a Letter from Santa order postcard in your local Debenhams, SPAR, Thorntons or Bhs store.

For more details about the NSPCC or if you would like to be one of Santa's little helpers and volunteer your time to help distribute some of our Christmas leaflets in Bedfordshire, please contact the NSPCC East Appeals team on 01908 328050.

Ends

For interviews with an NSPCC spokesperson or further information please contact Julie Wills, NSPCC communications officer, on 020 7825 2606 or email julie.wills@nspcc.org.uk.

In addition to the NSPCC Letter from Santa fundraising appeal, you can also support the NSPCC by sending flowers this Christmas.

Send flowers this Christmas: The national online florist, The Cracked Pot Flower Boutique has created a special NSPCC bouquet this Christmas called "winter wonderland", a £4 donation will be made for every bouquet sold. This amount can pay for a ChildLine counsellor to answer a call from a vulnerable child. The beautiful bouquet crammed full of silver and white flowers can be purchased at www.thecrackedpot.co.uk for £45.00.

About ChildLine: ChildLine is the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people, with trained volunteer counsellors available to comfort, advise and protect. In February 2006, ChildLine formally joined with the NSPCC in a move that will ensure even stronger services and a more influential voice for children of all ages. The ChildLine service, now one of the NSPCC's listening services, still has the same well known telephone number - 0800 1111 - and children and young people can still call 24 hours a day and receive the same crucial service.