-- Text Santa takes over the ITV daytime schedule on Friday 20 December for a day that's packed with Hattitude'. There will be bumper editions of programmes with celebrity guests, festive food, surprise makeovers, and celebrity Chasers.
Starting at 6.00am with Daybreak Richard Arnold goes behind-the-scenes on Text Santas Take Me Out special and Union J join Aled Jones and Kate Garraway on the sofa to reveal all about their involvement in the Text Santa extravaganza later tonight. On Lorraine at 8.30am, Kate Garraway gives viewers another chance to see those Text Santa campaign highlights, when guests blinged up their hats so they could put their Hats on Display for Hattitude Day . Plus Liberty X talk about the Big Reunion Christmas single I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday', which is donating all profits to Text Santa.
At 9.25am Jeremy Kyle presents a Text Santa special with surprises galore for some special charity guests, including some very deserving children who are given a trip of a lifetime to Lapland.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby are on Text Santa tonight, but they'll also be presenting This Morning at 10.30am and giving viewers their own exclusive insights into what they are planning for the big show later on.
In Lets Do Christmas...with Gino and Mel at 12.30pm, the presenters' guide to a stress-free Christmas will be tested by the most difficult of judges, Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood. At 2.00pm, Peter Andre's 60 Minute Makeover sees Peter refurbish Cherry Tree Activity Centre, run by Age UK, one of six charities to benefit from this year's campaign.
At 3.00pm Dickinsons Real Deal: Text Santa Christmas Special, also sees David with festive pantomime dames encouraging charity donations.
Show Me The Telly at 4.00pm sees Vanessa Feltz and Simon Gregson join Richard Bacon for a festive edition in aid of Text Santa charity appeal.
There's a special edition of The Chase at 5pm, with ITV Newscasters Mark Austin, Alistair Stewart, Romilly Weekes and Charlene White competing against the Christmas character Chasers.
Between 7-8pm, we get our regular fix of Emmerdale and Coronation Street but they'll be back later with their own Text Santa items. Then it's the main event of the night, starting at 8pm, Text Santa 2013.
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 on 0300 200 8000. 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 itv.com/textsanta. To donate £5 text SANTA to 70070**. 100% of donations raised will be distributed equally between the six charities.
The Text Santa Fundraising ideas and ways of getting involved through volunteering are available online at www.textsanta.co.uk. The site includes information on how to get involved, by showing your Hattitude', as well as explaining where your money goes - helping the charities help someone near you.
** Texts cost £5. Standard charges may apply to phone calls. Please check with your operator. Full details, charity numbers & terms can be found at www.itv.com/textsanta, stv.tv & u.tv. You should be 16+. Please ask the bill payer's permission. Closes 10.01.14 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, fri
