-- This Christmas, in a world exclusive for ITV's Text Santa, Prime Minister David Cameron faces a TV inquisition like never before. He's faced Jeremy Paxman, Tom Bradby and John Humphrys. But now the PM comes up against his toughest test yet a grilling from Little Ant & Dec.
What were the questions and what where the PM's answers. All is revealed on Text Santa at 8pm on Friday 20 December.
Text Santa is ITVs annual charity appeal, which raises money, and awareness for six UK based charities. This years chosen charities are Age UK, Barnardos, BeatBullying, British Heart Foundation, CLIC Sargent and Help the Hospices.
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.
Viewers can make donations throughout the appeal via text; thanks to Text Santa partner Vodafone by using their JustTextGiving service, which ensures 100% of your donation goes directly to Text Santa and lets you add Gift Aid easily. Vodafone will also be operating the landline technology on the night, and taking calls if viewers want to donate by phone. Text Santa's banking partner, Santander will be getting behind the appeal by taking donations in their 1,200 branches as well as offering this year's must have' Christmas accessory, the Text Santa character pin badges, Holly, Rudy and Tinsel. Donations can also be made online at www.itv.com/textsanta. To donate £5 text SANTA to 70070.
100% of donations raised will be distributed equally between the sixth charities.
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.
**Texts cost £5. Full details, charity numbers & terms can be found at itv.com/textsanta, stv.tv & u.tv. You should be 16+. Please ask the bill payer's permission. Closes 10.01.2014 at 5pm.
Notes to Editors:
Overview of 2013 charities:
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 works with more than 200,000 children, young people and their families each year, through over 900 community projects across the UK. They work to transform the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children and every year they help thousands of families to build a better future.
In the current economic climate, there is an increasing demand for their services and the funds raised by Text Santa will support the most vulnerable children 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.
They empower young people to mentor each other, in their communities and online and give them the support of specialist adult advisers and counsellors. They also provide support for parents and professionals working with young people, helping them to develop strategies to prevent 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. But so many people still need help. Over 2 million people in the UK struggle with the devastating effects of heart disease. It can be painful, frightening and lonely. The British Heart Foundation fund nurses who offer invaluable medical and emotional support to heart patients and their families, enabling many to manage their condition at home, improve their confidence and maintain their independence.
CLIC Sargent
Every day, 10 children and young people in the UK hear the shocking news they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years.
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. They are there from diagnosis onwards and aim to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement.
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 life-limiting illnesses and their families, helping them to live well for the time they have left together.
Demand for hospice care is rapidly increasing due to more people living for longer with more complex health conditions. Help the Hospices supports hospices to meet these challenges so they can continue to provide the highest quality care possible.
Text Santa Background
Text Santa is an important part of ITVs Corporate Responsibility programme, using its reach to millions of people to help inspire, engage and empower viewers to make a difference. The organisation does not make any profit from the appeal and is proud that, with investment from ITV and support from Text Santas partners and supporters, 100% of donations made by viewers go directly to the charities Text Santa supports.
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