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Richard Briers and ChristopherBiggins are among the celebrities who will appear on the ITV programme tosupport the appeal and discuss their personal connection to Age Concern and older people.
The fortnight-long appeal will focuson the loneliness and isolation? which are so widespread that two millionolder people have symptoms of depression. The appeal will also cover relatedissues such as poverty? getting social care? and depression? within a series offilms featuring elderly peopleaffected by these issues.
The charity's work to help combatthese problems through day centres? befriending schemes? IT tuition andinformation and advice will also be profiled. The help and emotionalsupport that Age Concern provides can make all the difference during difficulttimes for many vulnerable and isolated older people.
One lucky group of older people willreceive a very special surprise when the This Morning team award them a muchneeded donation to renovate their dilapidated day centre. This Morningwill also be showing viewers how they can get involved with Age Concern's workvolunteering on local projects.
Phillip Schofield and Fern Brittonsaid:
?We are very excited about thenumber of older people we will be able to support through our ?Help theElderly? Christmas Appeal. Christmas is often a lonely time for manyolder people so please support us by donating and helping to raise lots ofmoney for older people in the UK.?
Walter Blake? 88? from Kent? whofeatures in an appeal film said:
?I attend my Age Concern day centreevery Monday and Friday without fail. It's my lifeline? enabling me to get outthe flat? meet friends and socialise. I'd encourage everyone to donate to theThis Morning appeal to ensure our day centre can stay open and continue helpingother older people like me.?
Gordon Lishman? Director General ofAge Concern England? said:
?It's very exciting that ThisMorning has selected Age Concern as the recipient charity for their ChristmasAppeal 2008! It offers us a great way to highlight the importance of thework we do and to raise funds that are vital to carry out the services weprovide.?