Martin Whitfield MSP is supporting Save the Children ahead of the charity’s annual Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser taking place on Thursday 12th December by donning his favourite festive knit.

Last year, Christmas Jumper Day raised a total of £3 million for children in Scotland, the UK and around the world and over 1.5 million children and teachers and 1 million workplaces took part in fundraising event.  Funds raised will help children get access to food, healthcare and education.

This year has been far from easy for families living on the lowest incomes in Scotland, and part of the money raised will also go towards supporting Save the Children Scotland’s work in providing grants to buy food and essential household items and making sure children can thrive within their communities.

The charity hopes to make this Christmas Jumper Day the most sustainable and ‘green’ one yet and is urging everyone to dig out an old jumper and decorate it with festive trimmings, instead of buying a new jumper. Many schools and organisations are also holding a Christmas Jumper Swap Shop to save the environment, save money and save lives.

Martin has joined with thousands of others in all corners of Scotland by wearing his Christmas jumper to promote the day.

Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“Everyone can take part in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on 12th December to support children across the globe. Whether it’s adding decorations to an old jumper, re-wearing last year’s knit or swapping a woolly with a friend, anything goes to help raise funds, and the more sustainable the better!”

Donating £2 or whatever people can afford can truly help make the world a better place for children:

  • £2 could pay for a pair of shoes to keep a baby in Afghanistan warm through winter.
  • £10 could buy a supermarket voucher for a family in Scotland
  • £30 could buy gardening tools and seeds for a family to grow their own healthy food so they don’t go hungry again.
  • £45 could give a family who’ve escaped war in Ukraine enough food for a month.
  • £80 could buy two goats, so children can have healthy milk to drink and their family can earn money.
  • £160 could provide a child with a place at school.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.christmasjumperday.org.