Ex-Emmerdale actor backs Mission Christmas toy appeal

Natalie, of Guiseley, is a patron of the Yorkshire Evening Post-backed Pulse 1 radio Mission Christmas appeal and has been involved as a volunteer for around four years.

Natalie, who played Alicia Metcalfe in ITV soap Emmerdale from 2010 to 2015, now runs an online magazine business called The Capsule, which supports women's wellbeing and mental health.

The Capsule at www.thecapsule.co.uk stages live events and a series of podcasts called The Capsule in Conversation, where Natalie interviews celebrity guests.

Natalie said £5 from each sale of her company's Christmas sweatshirts bearing the slogan 'Comfort and Joy' will go to the national Cash for Kids appeal.

The donations will split across all the Cash for Kids charity's sites.

Natalie started volunteering with the Cash for Kids charity around four years ago and has helped with a wide range of jobs, including packing gifts in boxes.

Natalie said: "I really think it's important that we support, not just kids on our doorstep, but children across the UK that are living in really difficult circumstances.

"More so now with the pandemic. They really need help and support."

Lisa Sullivan, charity manager at Pulse1 radio, said: "We are so touched by Natalie’s commitment and support to Cash for Kids not only for Mission Christmas but throughout the year.

"It is so very kind of her to adopt us as her charity to support with her fabulous Christmas jumper and we wish her all the best with this."

Mission Christmas, which is the largest Christmas toy appeal in the UK, is an annual campaign run by Cash For Kids, which is supported by Bauer Radio’s regional stations, including Pulse 1.

Collectively, Cash for Kids raised more than £20.9m in 2019 in gifts and donations which were distributed to more than a million disadvantaged children across the UK, including 26,143 in West Yorkshire.

People are being asked to buy one extra gift before December 18 and hand it in to a number of drop off points, including the charity's partner B&M's stores.

Drop off points are listed at www.pulse1.co.uk/mission

Or text ‘PULSE’ to 70910 to donate £10 and a gift will be bought on your behalf.

This year Pulse 1’s Mission HQ, which acts as a hub for the receipt, sorting and distribution of gifts, is at The Store Room, Millshaw, Leeds LS11 8EG.