Text Santa: How money raised will help 'Clic Sargent'

This week we're counting down the days to ITV's Christmas fundraiser, Text Santa. The finale is this Friday night (20th Dec) on ITV.

Ant and Dec, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, and Christine Bleakley and Paddy McGuiness will host a star-studded show featuring many well-known faces from the stage and screen.

Six UK charities will benefit from your donations this year. They are Age UK, Barnardos, Clic Sargent, British Heart Foundation, Help the Hospices and Beat Bullying.

Tonight on ITV News Central we look at the work of Clic Sargent, which is the UK's leading childrens cancer charity. They support children and their families from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment, and for as long as they are needed.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the impact on the whole family is tremendous. Clic Sargent help them to understand their treatments, and how to handle the stress of it all. They also help out financially if a parent has to give up work to care for a child.

Mohini Samani from Smethwick, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2007 at the age of 9. She's now in remission, but has been left with some mobility problems as a result of her chemotherapy.

But despite her problems, Mohini has been part of the Clic Sargent Youth Advisory panel, and is optimistic and upbeat about her life.

Throughout her treatment Mohini had her young peoples community worker, Orlando Fuller, at her side.

He helped her through the tough times, and continues to be there on the end of a phone, if there is anything she or her mum need to know.

Ten children every day are diagnosed with cancer. Treatment can take several years, which puts a huge strain on families. This is why Text Santa are supporting Clic Sargent this year, to make the journey for those children, a little easier.

100% of donations made by viewers are evenly distributed to ITV's chosen charities within three months of each televised appeal. All Text Santa operating costs including staffing and the programme itself are funded directly by ITV as part of its corporate giving and not from corporate partners or viewer contributions.