ITV’s annual charity appeal Text Santa broadcast its celebrity-studded main show on Friday (20th December) which featured moving footage from a patient supported by Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice and raised a total of £4.2 million for hospice care and other charity causes.

The film focuses on 42-year-old Alex. Alex has terminal lung cancer and receives care from Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. Along with the emotional and practical support that the hospice provides to Alex, they are also helping her to create a memory box and film for her three-year-old daughter Jessica.

During the film Alex speaks to Jim Carter - who plays head butler Carson in the popular drama series Downton Abbey about how Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice has helped her. “The hospice has made the difference between having a life and dying. With their support, instead of being very depressed, I have been able to be the mum I want to be to Jessica, while I still can be. They have been truly amazing”.

The Text Santa evening raised £4.2 million on the night, as millions of viewers watched a star-studded line-up of sketches, music performances and true-life films from the Text Santa charities. The entertainment extravaganza was presented by Ant & Dec, Phillip Schofield & Holly Willoughby and Christine Bleakley & Paddy McGuinness.

Help the Hospices is one of six charities to benefit from this year’s Text Santa appeal. As a member of Help the Hospices, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice has benefited from increased public awareness about hospice care generated by the appeal. The funds raised will support the work of both Help the Hospices and its member hospices.

Kate Heaps, Chief Executive of Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice said: “We were delighted to participate in the show. It gave Alex an opportunity to tell her story and will hopefully increase public understanding about the important care and support we offer. “We can only do the work we do because of the support of the community, and by talking about these important issues, we hope to ensure that people will continue to support their local hospice.”

Help the Hospices CEO David Praill said: “We are absolutely delighted with the generous amount of donations raised as a result of the Text Santa appeal. Alex’s story has powerfully highlighted the value of hospice care and how it can touch the life of not only someone affected by terminal illness but their family too.”

“The funds raised from this appeal will enable our member hospices to continue to provide vital care for terminally ill patients and their families, as well as boosting our national programme of work to support hospices.”