Will You Be a Shelter Elf this Christmas?
With the countdown to the holiday season well under way, housing and homelessness charity Shelter has teamed up with M&S to launch a novel and festive way for customers to help people in desperate housing need this Christmas.
From 1st November to 31 December, M&S stores will be offering products from a special limited edition "Christmas Food on the Move" range.
For every product purchased, 5p will be donated to the charity to support its housing helpline - a service which will help more than 11,000 people this Christmas.
To support this year's campaign, visit www.shelterelf.org.uk to send a personalised e-menu to a friend, relative or colleague.
The invitation will let the recipient choose their festive lunch from the Food on the Move range, which can then be used by the sender to buy and personally deliver.
Visitors to the website can also enter a competition to win one of several fantastic prizes, including £500 worth of vouchers for an M&S Christmas lunch, 2 luxury M&S Christmas Hampers complete with a bottle of champagne, and a pair of Virgin Balloon flights.
It is a tragic reality that thousands of families across the country will be facing the prospect of a Christmas without a home to call their own. Shelter Elf is a great way for all to get into the festive spirit, make a colleague's day and raise money for a good cause at the same time. The money raised by this campaign will go directly to Shelter's helpline and will mean we can reach even more people who need our help.
Campbell Robb, Chief Executive at Shelter
Since 2005, M&S customers have helped to raise over £4.5 million in aid of Shelter.
With the season of giving about to get underway, we're asking customers to get into the festive spirit and treat some friends to lunch. It's amazing when you consider how much of a difference buying a sandwich, a dessert or a delicious Christmas pudding smoothie can make to thousands of people.
Richard Gillies, Director of Plan A, CSR and Sustainable Business at M&S
Visit www.shelterelf.org.uk to bring some festive cheers to a friend or colleague and help those in housing need this Christmas.