Last modified on Sun 20 Dec 2020 23.36 EST
Generous readers donated more than £34,000 during the Guardian and Observerâs socially distanced annual charity telethon on Saturday. The 2020 winter appeal, which is raising money for charities supporting disadvantaged young people, now stands at more than £585,000.
A roster of journalists staffed the telethon phone lines from their homes â among those taking calls from readers were the editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, John Crace, Marina Hyde, Anushka Asthana, Jonathan Freedland, Amelia Gentleman, Owen Jones and Polly Toynbee.
To comply with industry regulations, the calls were subsequently transferred to a small team of Guardian staff volunteers, who took card donations at the Guardian offices in Kings Place, London, under the auspices of the Charities Trust.
The Guardian charity telethon - talk to your favourite journalists Composite: Getty Images / Guardian Design Team
It’s your chance to discuss this extraordinary year, one-to-one, with your favourite journalists. Marina Hyde, John Crace, Jonathan Freedland, Anushka Asthana, Owen Jones and others will be taking your calls and donations at the Guardian and Observer 2020 charity appeal telethon this Saturday.
This year’s appeal cause is disadvantaged young people, and we are raising money for three charities doing fantastic work at the sharp end of the Covid-19 social crisis: UK Youth, which funds grassroots youth work schemes; Young Minds, which helps young people with mental health support; and the anti-poverty campaigners Child Poverty Action Group.
Newspapers Launch Christmas Campaigns
Local and national newspapers across the UK are encouraging readers to support charitable causes and local campaigns over Christmas.
The Manchester Evening News is supporting local children’s charity Wood Street Mission this year and is encouraging readers to donate new toys and gifts.
This year, the Guardian and Observer charity appeal is partnered with organisations that support young people whose lives have been impacted by Covid-19. They are calling on readers to donate to UK Youth, Young Minds and the Child Poverty Action Group.
Robbie Williams launched his Christmas single in his hometown newspaper The Stoke Sentinel. The advert featured the phrase “Can’t Stop Christmas” and “why oh why are we all waiting” accompanied by the initials ‘RW’.
Guardian and Observer readers give £250,000 to help vulnerable young people theguardian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theguardian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.