Age UK to feature in ITV's 2013 Text Santa appeal

Text Santa, ITV's annual charity fundraiser, will return in December 2013 to raise money and awareness for 6 UK-based charities, including Age UK. The appeal has raised nearly £10 million for charities since it started in 2011.

Hosts Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby and Christine Bleakley were joined by Paddy McGuinness for the 2012 live show, which was broadcast on 21st December and was watched by a peak audience of 6.2 million people.

UK-based charities were invited to apply to become a Text Santa beneficiary earlier this year for 2013's appeal and following a selection process, we are  proud to announce that Age UK is 1 of the 6 charities that were chosen.

The 6 charities featuring in this year's Text Santa appeal are:

Age UK

Age UK has been selected again, having been one of the 2012 beneficiaries of Text Santa. Age UK helps millions of people every year. No one should have to spend later life cold, lonely or in poverty - so Age UK provides vital information, advice and practical services to end needless suffering for older people.

Barnardo's

Barnardo's staff and volunteers work in the heart of local communities across the UK, providing vital care for disadvantaged children living in deprived circumstances. The funds raised by Text Santa will support the most vulnerable children affected by poverty in the UK this Christmas, turning their lives around and helping them face the future with hope and confidence.

BeatBullying

BeatBullying is a bullying prevention charity, campaigning to make bullying unacceptable, and providing support for children and young people affected by bullying.

British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer. For over 50 years the British Heart Foundation has pioneered research that's transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions.

CLIC Sargent

CLIC Sargent is the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. They provide clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life.

Help the Hospices

Help the Hospices champions and supports the work of over 200 hospices across the UK. Hospices provide vital care for people with terminal and serious illnesses and their families, helping them to live well for the time they have left together.

More about Text Santa

Text Santa is an important part of ITV's Corporate Responsibility programme, using its reach to millions of people to help inspire, engage and empower viewers to make a difference. ITV does not make any profit from the appeal and is proud that, with investment from ITV and support from Text Santa's official partners, 100% of donations made by viewers go directly to the charities Text Santa supports.