In my role as Ambassador of the NSPCC Letter to Santa campaign it’s my job to persuade you to ‘invest’ in these delightful messages from the Big Man himself. Last time I showed you my letter from Santa so you had an idea of what to expect. Trust me, the girls were wide eyed when they read it and I know they are going to love receiving their own ones too.

The letter can be sent all over the world for a suggested donation of £5.

Where is your money spent?

Some of the money raised will go towards the costs of the vital lifeline for vulnerable children, the NSPCC ChildLine providing someone for them to turn to when they need advice and support, this Christmas and beyond.

Why is ChildLine important?

ChildLine is all some children have to reach out when they are feeling so low and abandoned. The NSPCC have very kindly sent me through some composites based on the sorts of things children talk about when they contact ChildLine. Please read them.

Disclosure: All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child or young person. Snapshots are created from real ChildLine contacts but are not necessarily direct quotes from the young person.

I started self-harming when my Mum left us. Mum and Dad were always fighting and Mum had a problem with alcohol. Mum was always there for me, and now I don’t see her anymore. Dad won’t let me have any contact with her. I don’t want to tell my dad how I feel as I don’t want to upset him. It doesn’t feel good to cut but I need to. I think it might bring Mum back to me and it allows me space to think and concentrate on something else. It feels good talking to ChildLine as I can say how I feel and ChildLine listens to me. (Teenage female)

When I get angry I self-harm. I get angry when I am called names at school. Self-harming makes the anger go away. I have tried other ways of coping but nothing works. Talking to ChildLine helps as I have no-one else to talk to. (Teenage female)

I have been cutting for a while, I can’t talk to my parents about it as they are the reason I self-harm. My parents shout at me, I feel so much pressure, cutting is a real release for me. I have contacted ChildLine as I needed to tell someone, no-one else understands me.

I’m really feeling suicidal at the moment. I have been to hospital before as I have tried to end my life by taking an overdose. I’m bullied at school and I’m feeling so angry with my dad. He drinks a lot and moved away a year ago. Sometimes going for a walk can help and I’m really close to my mum. I have medication for my severe depression, but I really feel like it isn’t working. I’m so glad ChildLine can help me. (Teenage male)

I cut myself the other day. I cut because some people at school made me feel angry. When I get urges to self-harm, it’s like a pain I can’t ignore and I need to set it free. No-one knows I self-harm, I don’t feel I can tell anyone – only ChildLine. I have tried to write things down, but the words don’t come out. I worry sometimes that I could get infections from cutting. (Teenage female)

Director of the NSPCC’s ChildLine service, Peter Liver, said: “Christmas is a magical time for most children, full of family traditions and fun. However, as we know from the thousands of children who contact us throughout the festive period, for some it can be an incredibly difficult and lonely time.

Every £5 raised by Letter from Santa could help ChildLine be there whenever a child seeks help either online or by phone.

Every £12 raised could help trained ChildLine Schools Service volunteers talk to one primary school child about abuse, giving them the confidence to talk and showing them who’s ready to listen.

Every £50 raised could help an NSPCC practitioner deliver two hours of telephone support to anyone with concerns about a child.

Where do I order my letter from Santa?

Santa’s mailroom is open until 15 December 2014, and all those who request a Letter from Santa this year will be entered into a draw to win a Center Parcs holiday for a family of four.

Request your Letter from Santa from 1 October 2014 at www.nspcc.org.uk/santa or by calling 0845 839 9304.

About the NSPCC:

The NSPCC is the UK’s leading children’s charity specialising in child protection. Our vision is to end cruelty to children in the UK and we make a difference for all children by standing up for their rights, listening to them, helping them when they need us and by making them safe. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands to help vulnerable children. We also provide ChildLine, the UK’s free, confidential 24-hour helpline and online service for children and young people and a helpline for adults who are worried about a child or want advice.

If you have concerns about a child or young person, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, text 88858 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk

Children and young people can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk

All image credits to Jon Challicom