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An array of stars from the small and big screen are joining forces to shine a light on second-hand shopping, swapping or upcycling for this year’s Christmas Jumper Day, as they launch  Save the Children’s annual festive fundraising campaign.

Urging the nation to choose sustainable knits with a festive flair are presenters Laura Whitmore, Holly Willoughby and Lauren Laverne, Bridgerton star India Amarteifio, comedian and influencer Fats Timbo, Big Brother host Will Best, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, comedian London Hughes, Loose Women panelist Sophie Morgan, radio presenter Joelah Noble, dancer and ex-Strictly Come Dancing presenter Arlene Phillips, mother-daughter powerhouse Andi and Miquita Oliver, podcast hosts Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo, The One Show host Alex Jones , Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway and presenter and activist Katie Piper. They all pulled on a pre-loved Christmas jumper to encourage everyone taking part on 7th December to think before they shop. The stylish range of vintage jumpers on show will all be available to buy at Save The Children shops during the Christmas season.

Christmas Jumper Day celebrated 10 years of fundraising last year, and has so far raised a whooping £35 million to help transform the lives of children around the world. The money supports children in the UK and around the world to stay safe, healthy and learning.

Ahead of the big day, the celebs shared their tips on getting involved in a more sustainable way this Christmas Jumper Day:

Lauren Laverne said: “I often wear vintage clothes - especially Christmas party wear. I love vintage shopping as you never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes you come across an item and it just feels like destiny! I’d urge everyone to get involved in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on 7^th December. See what vintage jumpers you can find in your local charity shop - you might come across something completely bonkers that you just have to take home and wear for years to come!

One of my favourite Christmas traditions is going to the pantomime. You need to pick a good one, but if you do they’re so much fun and the whole family gets involved. Plus, it’s the perfect place to wear your snazziest Christmas jumper!”

Tasha Gouri said: “I wear my Christmas jumper as much as I can throughout December because I absolutely love Christmas and it gets me in the festive mood. I’m all for sustainable fashion and I love finding unique pieces that have a story behind them. I was recently wearing a beautiful vintage dress and a lady came up to me and said it used to be hers in the 90s. I loved that!

“The best advice I can give for finding a great second-hand jumper is having patience. You’re not going to find what you want immediately - but keep looking and you’ll spot something you love eventually.”

Laura Whitmore said: “Most of us have a festive jumper somewhere in our wardrobe, and if not, why not borrow one from a friend? I’m always letting friends borrow my clothes, and they let me borrow theirs in return.

“I have a lot of things in my wardrobe that are there for life. Although it’s nice to follow trends, I think it's really important to have those staple pieces that will last a lifetime – mine is definitely my go-to leather jacket. I also get quite nostalgic with clothes: I remember what I wore on my first date with my husband or what I wore when I auditioned for MTV - and my Christmas jumper always reminds me of all the festive fun I’ve had with friends and family over the years! There’s a story in every piece of clothing I own.”

Holly Willoughby said: “Christmas Jumper Day is a really fabulous way of raising lots of money for Save the Children and it's so easy to get involved! Simply put on your favourite Christmas jumper on 7th December and donate £2. You don't even need a new jumper to take part, you can dig out an old knit that you've had for years or go to a charity shop and find a cool vintage one."

Fats Timbo said: “My typical Christmas day usually involves lots of eating, my mum is from Siera Leone so we have jollof rice, stew and my mum’s amazing stuffing with loads of chilli and spices – it’s delicious! I think Christmas is a time to dance and party, we love Afrobeats in my family.

“This year I’m also supporting Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day because I think it's important to give children the best start in life, especially at Christmas. This year it’s all about sustainability and not buying anything new, so I’ll probably borrow one of my sister’s Christmas jumpers as she’s very fashionable and I love wearing her clothes…usually without her consent!”

Will Best said: “This year I plan on wearing my Christmas jumper everywhere! I’m one of those people who wears my clothes until they’re falling apart. I have a really jazzy Christmas jumper that someone gave me as a gift and I absolutely love it, it’s become a bit of a trademark!”

Save the Children is urging the nation to celebrate its annual Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser as sustainably as possible, by re-using, re-cycling and shopping more consciously. All the famous faces supporting the campaign are modelling second-hand knitwear which will be distributed to Save the Children charity shops across the country to buy. 

To take part, get together with friends, family, colleagues or classmates, throw on your favourite sustainable sweater on Thursday 7^th 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.

To find out more and sign-up, visit www.christmasjumperday.org.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

To sign up, visit – www.christmasjumperday.org where you can also find the latest information about how to take part in Christmas Jumper Day.

For Facebook visit – facebook.com/christmasjumperday

For Twitter visit - @savechildrenuk #christmasjumperday

For press enquiries please contact:

• Freya Carr: f.carr@savethechildren.org.uk / 07939058939
• media@savethechildren.org.uk / 020 7012 6841

About Save the Children:

Save the Children exists to help every child reach their full potential. In more than 100 countries including the UK, we make sure children stay safe, healthy and learning, and change the future for good.

We find new ways to reach children, no matter where they’re growing up. For a century, we’ve stood up for children’s rights and made sure their voices are heard.

For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.uk