ITV launches Text Santa 2013 charity appeal

It's that time of year again - Text Santa is back!

Text Santa is ITV’s annual charity fundraiser appeal, raising money and awareness for six UK-based charities each year.

This year's charities, all benefitting equally, are: Age UK, Barnardo's, BeatBullying, British Heart Foundation, Clic Sargent and Help the Hospices.

Text Santa aims to improve the quality of life for vulnerable people in the UK by inspiring, engaging and empowering the nation to make a difference at Christmas time.

One hundred per cent of donations made by our viewers are evenly distributed to the chosen charities within three months of each televised appeal.

Text Santa, now in its third year, has raised nearly £10 million for charities since it started in 2011.

Last year the appeal raised more than £5 million pounds. In the video below, our reporter Tom Sheldrick meets some of the people that money helped.

For more information, visit the Text Santa website at www.itv.com/textsanta