Download photos here.

Thursday 7th December: Today is Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day and to mark the 12th year of the campaign, long standing ambassador Dom Joly has donned a Transport for London (TfL) Revenue Inspector’s uniform and taken to the London Underground to check that commuters are indeed sporting their finest festive knitwear for the charity.

In his covert role, Dom spent the morning surprising commuters arriving at Farringdon station and has been carrying out TfL’s first ever Christmas jumper inspection.   Dom was joined by five members of TfL’s official Revenue Inspector’s team who, for just one day, swapped ticket inspecting for jumper inspecting and spread festive cheer across the transport network for the charity’s annual Christmas fundraiser.

Once satisfied that enough commuters in Farring’Dom’ station were wearing their festive knits, Dom travelled across the wider TfL network, visiting some of London’s most iconic stations to check that the capital was getting behind the campaign.

Save the Children Ambassador, Dom Joly said: “It’s always been a secret ambition of mine to take over the London Underground, so to play the part of a TfL inspector whilst supporting my favourite cause, has felt like all my Christmases have come at once. Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day is one of the most festive days of the year and, thanks to my role of Christmas jumper inspector, I can happily confirm that Londoners have got behind the campaign and are wearing some fantastic festive knitwear today. 

It’s been great fun, but more importantly it’s fantastic to see so many commuters raising money to help children around the world have access to food, medicine and education. I have seen first-hand the huge difference the charity’s work makes and I’m so grateful to everyone who is taking part and helping raise vital funds.”

Gemma Sherrington, Executive Director of Fundraising at Save the Children said: “Christmas Jumper Day is all about making the world better with a fun and festive sweater! It’s been brilliant to see the variety of Christmas Jumpers being inspected at tube stations today. From second hand vintage knits to sparkly sweaters, and a few fabulous upcycled creations, Londoners have shown that they are bang on trend! But really anything goes in order to raise vital funds for Save the Children and help some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK and across the world.

Christina Calderato, Director of Transport Strategy and Policy for TfL said: “We are delighted to support the ambitious fundraising efforts for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day this year. We hope that these fun activities will bring our customers some festive cheer and will encourage them to donate to this worthy cause."

This year marks Save the Children’s 12th Christmas Jumper Day – an annual campaign which encourages the public, schools and workplaces up and down the country to don their best Christmas jumpers in exchange for a donation to the charity.  Since launching in 2012, Christmas Jumper Day has raised a total of £35 million to help transform the lives of children around the globe. The money raised supports children in the UK and around the world to stay safe, healthy and learning. To take part, get together with friends, family, colleagues, or classmates, throw on your favourite sustainable sweater or second-hand jumpers on Thursday 7th December, and donate £2 (or £1 for kids) to Save the Children. All funds raised will help some of the most disadvantaged children across the world, including the UK, get access to food, healthcare and education.   

Ends

For further enquiries please contact our media team media@savethechildren.org.uk / +44(0)7831 650 409 

About Save the Children

Save the Children exists to help every child get the chance of a future they deserve. In more than 100 countries, including the UK, we make sure children stay safe, healthy and learning – finding new ways to reach children who need us most. For a century, we’ve stood up for children’s rights and made sure their voices are heard. With children, for children, we change the future for good. 

About Transport for London

Transport for London (TfL) is London’s integrated transport authority and is responsible for most aspects of the transport system in London, including buses, the Underground and London Overground rail networks, the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway, river services, the Congestion Charge, Low Emission Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone, the main road network, taxis and private hire, the Oyster and contactless smartcard ticketing system and the Santander Cycle Hire scheme. It also works with all 33 London Boroughs to actively promote walking and cycling across the city.