Charity gets £10k Cheryl Fergison Millionaire boost and X Factor single proceeds (From News Shopper)

South-east charity chYps gets £10k Who Wants to be a Millionaire boost from Cheryl Fergison and James Arthur X Factor single Impossible proceeds

12:30pm Tuesday 11th December 2012 in Dartford & Swanley news By George Sargent

A SOUTH-EAST children’s charity could enjoy a bumper Christmas this year after winning £10,000 on a game show and getting proceeds from the X Factor’s new Christmas single.

On Sunday night (December 9) ex-EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison won £10,000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire for chYps.

The Children and Young People’s Service of EllenorLions Hospices (chYps) cares for children with life-threatening illnesses at their homes, in Bexley, Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley.

But it was given a second boost after it was revealed proceeds from the X Factor single, Impossible, will go to Together for Short Lives.

It is a national charity that supports 50 children’s hospices, and other charitable organisations, including chYps.

The song is sung by X Factor winner James Arthur, 23, and is already topping the iTunes chart.

If it follows previous X Factor singles it could sell up to a million copies.

X Factor winner James said: "I love the song and am so glad that proceeds of the single will be going to such a great cause."

The Chancellor, George Osborne, has also agreed to waive the 20% tax on the single.

He said: “I’m delighted to be able to do my bit to help, handing the VAT back and ensuring that as much money as possible goes to the charity.”

Tessa Youens, from chYps, said: “It is fantastic. This money is going to make a huge difference to the families we support.

“Our nurses provide hospice care in the home, helping to change dressings, and give chemotherapy and other medications.

"We also provide music and play therapy as well as respite care for their families. So this will really help to fund all that.

"But we still desperately need public donations."