Dear editor,

WE are rapidly approaching the festive period, and children and young people across the East will be writing their letters to Santa.

While their faces will hopefully light up on Christmas Day when the presents arrive, the NSPCC has a way to help brighten them a little earlier, thanks to our Letters from Santa.

These are a nice way to make the season as special as possible for little ones, but they are also a fantastic way to help us help children across the country for whom Christmas is not a magical time.

On average, a child will contact Childline by phone or web chat every 45 seconds this Christmas, and we are calling for support to ensure the service can continue to be there for children. 

One way to support the charity is to make a donation when ordering a Letter from Santa for your child.

Last year alone saw us raise over £1m from these letters, which were vital for us to continue our work to support young people and families in need, as our charity relies on donations for almost 90 per cent of its funding. 

To order your letter please visit: www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/ways-to-give/letter-from-santa/

Ellen Smith, NSPCC Local Campaigns Manager for the East of England