Macmillan features Lynda Bellingham in Christmas appeal
Howard Lake | 18 November 2014 | News
Macmillan Cancer Support this week launched its 2014 Christmas appeal TV advert featuring the late Lynda Bellingham. The actress, a long-standing ambassador for the charity, narrates the advert.
The appeal encourages people to remember loved ones who have died of cancer by donating to Macmillan to ensure that no one faces cancer alone, especially at Christmas. This was the time of year that the actress spoke publicly about hoping to see again one more time.
Lynda recorded the voice-over before her death and her family have given permission for the advert to air as originally planned.
Lynda’s husband Michael Pattemore said:
“Lynda wanted to help other people who have been affected by cancer. She would be happy to know that her legacy continues through this Macmillan advert, especially at Christmas which was her favourite time of year. Lynda had a Macmillan nurse throughout her treatment which was a great comfort and support for us all at such a difficult time and we are extremely grateful for this.”
Twinkle Twinkle
[youtube height=”450″ width=”800″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE0_uRNvT7Y[/youtube]
The advert features several people who have been affected by cancer in their homes at Christmas, each reciting a line of the child’s nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
Lynda then says that losing a loved one to cancer is one of the toughest things that a family can go through and that it can be especially difficult at Christmas. Viewers are asked to support Macmillan by calling or texting to donate £5.
Macmillan will send donors a star-shaped photo frame ornament to thank them for their support.
The advert first aired on 17 November, and will run nationwide until 17 December.
Simon Philips, Director of Fundraising at Macmillan Cancer Support said:
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“We are extremely grateful to Lynda and her family for their long standing support. We believe that Lynda’s legacy lives on through this advert and will help many more people affected by cancer this Christmas and in the future”.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.