ITV confirms Text Santa return

ITV has announced that Text Santa will return to the channel for a fourth year.

The annual charity fundraiser has raised over £15 million for various charities since its launch in 2011. Last year’s appeal hosted by Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield, Holby Willoughby, Christine Bleakley and Paddy McGuiness was broadcast on 20th December and watched by 6.1m viewers.

UK based charities were invited to apply to become a Text Santa beneficiary earlier this year for 2014’s appeal and following a selection process, this year’s selection are, Alzheimer’s Society, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Teenage Cancer Trust, Together for Short Lives and WellChild.

ITV has previously had strong charity links. In 1974 it founded the Crossroads Care charity – funding the project for its first two years. It has become one of the biggest respite for carers organisations in the world. In 1980 Thames Television held a Thames Telethon, which later became a national event as the ITV Telethon with appeals in 1988, 1990 and 1992.