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There are still a few hours left to change someone's life

Antiques Roadshow star Ronnie Archer-Morgan, GP Ayla McCamphill-Rose and Comedian Bill Bailey
Antiques Roadshow star Ronnie Archer-Morgan, GP Ayla McCamphill-Rose and Comedian Bill Bailey

There are just a few hours left to make a donation towards the Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal 2022.

Each of our four charities – Age UK, Action For Children, Macmillan Cancer Support and Royal British Legion Industries – have been bowled over by the support they’ve received from generous Telegraph readers.

To make a donation, please visit telegraph.co.uk/2022appeal or call 0151 284 1927.

Thirteen weeks ago, the Telegraph unveiled this year’s appeal, focusing on charities who’ve been at the coalface of the cost-of-living crisis, along with the recovery from the pandemic.

We’ve shared the stories of the Macmillan nurses battling the cancer backlog and their support workers who’ve helped patients continue to live with dignity as they fight the disease, as well as the inspiring cancer patients who’ve overcome their illness.

We’ve also told the stories of the unsung heroes of the foster care system who’ve worked with Action For Children to help dozens of young people get a good start in life, the young carers who selflessly put their families first, and the projects helping teenagers get their mental health back in order after the pandemic.

We’ve cast a light on the veterans who’ve courageously fought for our country but needed a little help to re-engage with civilian life, and explored the immense efforts of other veterans to help their comrades make that adjustment, through the RBLI.

Finally, we’ve focused on the hard work Age UK has done to combat social isolation in the older generation wracked by pandemic lockdowns, whether that be by helping beat scams, long-distance friendship schemes, or coping with bereavement.

Along the way we’ve been humbled to receive hundreds of supportive comments celebrating the important work our partners do, and of course the dozens of generous donations, including one of £200,000 from Julia and Hans Rausing, the billionaire philanthropists.

Today is the last day to donate before we announce the final total later this week, but in case you need a reminder of the brilliant work our charity partners do, we’ve collected some of our favourite stories from across this year’s appeal below.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Victoria Derbyshire: “I owe my life to NHS staff - CAMERA PRESS/Chris Floyd
Victoria Derbyshire: “I owe my life to NHS staff - CAMERA PRESS/Chris Floyd

Lauren Mahon: “I know how very lucky I am to be here when so many people have gone.” The podcast host and close friend of the late Dame Deborah James opened up to Telegraph writer Rosamund Dean about losing friends to cancer, finding support during treatment, and life after cancer.

Bill Bailey: “When you lose people, you realise life’s too short to avoid difficult conversations.” Comedian Bill Bailey talked to our writer Ed Cumming, about his tropical bird aviary, his time on Strictly Come Dancing, and losing his close friend, comedian Sean Lock, to cancer.

Victoria Derbyshire: “I owe my life to NHS staff – we need more women to survive.” Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire sat down with Telegraph columnist Judith Woods to share how opening up about her breast cancer invited other women to talk about their own experiences.

Action For Children

rhys action for children - Paul Cooper
rhys action for children - Paul Cooper

“I was exhausted and overwhelmed,– so I called a parenting helpline.” After her family relocated, GP Ayla McCamphill-Rose realised she needed support as relations with her young son came under pressure, and called Action For Children. She tells Louisa Clarence-Smith and Flora Bowen it was the best decision she’s ever made.

“After living in 12 places in six years, I finally found a care home that never gave up on me.” Rhys was just 10 when he was brought into care, but found a place to call home at a very special care home in North Wales. He tells Jack Rear how the love and support he has found there have changed his life.

Ronnie Archer-Morgan: “Being taken into care was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Antiques Roadshow star tells Judith Woods how he survived a bleak and abusive early life, but finally began to thrive after receiving support from Action For Children.

RBLI

billy billingham - Andrew Crowley
billy billingham - Andrew Crowley

“I couldn’t settle into civilian life.” Abigail Buchanan visits the Mountbatten Centre where RBLI provides ex-armed forces staff with festive celebrations and hope for a brighter future.

“My mother’s death triggered my late-onset PTSD – a legacy from a life in active service.” Despite retiring from the Armed Forces in 2010, Tim Brown only started to experience post-traumatic stress disorder four years later. He tells Fiona Gibson about his experience.

Former SAS soldier Billy Billingham: “No one trains to see someone tortured and mutilated.” He lost close friends on missions all over the world but, as he tells Boudicca Fox-Leonard, some of Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham’s darkest days came after he left the SAS

Age UK

john starbrook - John Lawrence
john starbrook - John Lawrence

“It’s different when you make friends as an older person.” A former “forces sweetheart”, 100-year-old Lauretta, from London, tells Fiona Cowood all about her a glamorous life as a jazz musician and how she’s combated loneliness.

“My wife has dementia – when I was diagnosed with cancer I had no idea what to do.” What happens when a carer like Norman reaches their limit? Here he shares with Fiona Cowood what life is like with his beloved wife Ros.

I’m 92 and I’ve run 50 marathons – here’s my advice for anyone who wants to get back into exercise.” John Starbrook is something of a fitness fanatic and an ambassador for Age UK. He tells Jack Rear how over-50s can get active.