SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe will be helping to raise money this Christmas for children with a terminal condition from Kent, South East London and East Sussex.

Operating from Sittingbourne, Eltham and St Leonard’s On Sea, Demelza Hospice Care for Children provides specialist care and support when families are struggling to cope because their children have a serious or terminal condition.

This Christmas, the charity will have the full backing of Hollywood star Radcliffe - who is also Vice President of Demelza - in a moving and inspiring online appeal to raise funds for those children.

The film makes a play on popular social media hashtags such as #FullLife, #OOTD, #MeTime, #Love, #NoLimits and #Xmas.

“Demelza is a charity very close to my heart, having been a supporter for many years now, and I jumped at the opportunity to voice this inspirational video," said Daniel.

“A short life should be the fullest of them all so please watch, share and donate to Demelza to help children with terminal conditions and their loved ones make the most of the precious time they have together.”

During the two-minute Christmas film, the 29-year-old, who has also appeared in Jungle, Horns and Beast of Burden, will raise the question of what it means to live a full live before then asking what it means for a child with a terminal condition.

The music has also been provided free of charge, written by Robert Primrose from Swimming Girls. Tunbridge Wells-based advertising agency Southpaw has also weighed in to support the video.

“Everyone expects when they are pregnant to have a healthy child and I was no different,” commented Glynnis who is mum to Elke.

“But when Elke was starved of oxygen at birth, doctors didn’t expect her to survive - we were told she wouldn’t make her first Christmas.

“As a family we approach each day as an opportunity to find something fabulous - even on the bad days.

“We are so lucky to have been supported to find the best in every day and solutions to problems, thanks to Demelza Hospice Care for Children.”

Glynnis adds: “This isn’t a place for children to come and die. It’s a place for children to come and live. And their families to live with them. It’s an amazing place.”

Operating 24 hours a day for everyday of the year, Demelza is almost entirely funded by donations and receives less than 20% of its funding from government.

As a result, the charity is almost entirely dependent on the generosity of the public to keep going and help children who may not live a long life, live a full life.

“With so many friends and families who have overcome challenges with their own child’s development, it was a subject very close to our heart and a place where we can make a real difference to the charity,” noted Southpaw CEO Tom Poynter.

“We were given a wonderful opportunity to work with a remarkable charity and we just had to help them.”

The film is set to be supported and shared across social media by a host of Demelza’s celebrity supporters.

They include TV presenter and singer Cheryl Baker, TV and radio presenter Dave Berry, actress and TV presenter Sally Lindsay, Olympic gold medallist ice dancer Jayne Torvill OBE and British former competitive figure skater Robin Cousins.

“We’re very grateful to our Vice President Daniel Radcliffe, the fantastic team at Southpaw and everyone else who has contributed to this magical appeal,” concluded Tamsyn Clark, Director of Marketing & Fundraising.

“Most importantly, we extend our gratitude to the stars of the #FullLife campaign – the children and families who appear in it.”

For more information on Demelza Hospice Care for Children, visit their official website by clicking here.