Bognor charity to be awarded £100,000 thanks to Dame Julie Walters' Marks & Spencer Christmas advert voiceover

Marks & Spencer has pledged to make a donation of £100,000 to a domestic abuse charity on behalf of Dame Julie Walters.
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Dame Julie, who is patron of My Sisters' House in Bognor Regis, is part of an 'iconic voiceover cast', who have chosen to work with M&S this year.

The award-winning actress voices three of the new party food products from this year’s festive M&S Food range. (Watch the video, which was televised for the first time today, below)

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The Harry Potter and Mamma Mia star chose the women's centre, which is close to her heart, as the beneficiary of an M&S donation.

”It’s wonderful to be part of this M&S Food campaign, supporting charities at a time when they need it most," Dame Julie said.

"My Sisters’ House do amazing work supporting women in difficulty or crisis and I couldn’t think of a more deserving charity."

Julie Budge, CEO and founder of My Sisters’ House, was last week named as a Women of the Year award winner, for her work to support victims of domestic abuse.

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Dame Julie described her close friend as a ‘powerhouse’ and a ‘force of nature’ after the domestic abuse activist was honoured last week.

Dame Julie Walters with Julie Budge at International Women's Day event in Bognor in March. Pic Steve Robards SR2003061Dame Julie Walters with Julie Budge at International Women's Day event in Bognor in March. Pic Steve Robards SR2003061
Dame Julie Walters with Julie Budge at International Women's Day event in Bognor in March. Pic Steve Robards SR2003061

Ms Budge said: “In a time of great change, one thing does not change; our support for women in difficulty or crisis.

"We are grateful to Dame Julie and to M&S for this incredible donation which will help us to empower more women to thrive, not just survive.

“I want to thank both M&S and of course our wonderful patron Dame Julie from the bottom of my heart. We are still in shock at the selfless generosity shown and need to take stock and carefully consider the best use of this wonderful donation."

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Ms Budge said the funds will be used to transform the lives of the women and families the charity supports.

The funds will be used to transform the lives of the women and families the charity supportsThe funds will be used to transform the lives of the women and families the charity supports
The funds will be used to transform the lives of the women and families the charity supports

Dianne Smith, chairman of My Sisters’ House, said the charity is 'overwhelmed by Dame Julie’s confidence in us to use this incredible Christmas gift'.

She added: "Our promise is that will use the money wisely and ensure that every penny makes a difference to the life of women in need."

Sharry Cramond, M&S Food marketing director, said: “2020 has been a difficult year for all of us but at a time when charities are seeing their incomes fall significantly, we want to make sure that the M&S Food Christmas campaign builds on our existing charity partnerships and gives much-needed support to those needing it most.

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"We are delighted to support Julie and the team at My Sister’s House with a donation of £100,000 towards the amazing work they do with women in the local community."

Julie Budge, CEO and founder of My Sisters’ House, was last week named as a Women of the Year award winner, for her work to support victims of domestic abuse.Julie Budge, CEO and founder of My Sisters’ House, was last week named as a Women of the Year award winner, for her work to support victims of domestic abuse.
Julie Budge, CEO and founder of My Sisters’ House, was last week named as a Women of the Year award winner, for her work to support victims of domestic abuse.

M&S is donating £2 million to good causes

M&S Food said it is, this year, putting charity 'firmly at its heart'.

A spokesperson said: "In a year when charity funding has declined almost 25 per cent, this Christmas M&S Food is proud to announce it will donate £2 million to good causes.

"Central to this, M&S Food is shining a light on a number of important charities, partnering with nine world-famous actors who have added their unmistakable voices to nine brand new Christmas food ads, with food so delicious you’ll want to lick the screen!

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"As well as donations on behalf of the acting icons, M&S Food has selected ten colleagues from across the UK who are its most active charity volunteers, giving donations to the

colleagues’ chosen charities. In total, the Christmas advertising campaign will donate £1 million to good causes."

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