Ora inspiring
Xmas lights will brighten children’s lives
RITA Ora had Christmas all wrapped up as she lit up the start of the festive season for kids’ charity the NSPCC.
The Hot Right Now singer dressed for the cold in a thick purple turtleneck cable-knit jumper as she switched on the famous Oxford Street lights in Central London.
Rita, 26, said: “It’s such an honour. Once we’ve done this, it’s actually Christmas. If I get this wrong, it can’t be Christmas!”
She was joined by X Factor 2016 winner Matt Terry and the reality show’s boy band 5 After Midnight. Fans were also treated to a performance from the cast of West End show Five Guys Named Moe.
Oxford Street businesses have teamed up with the NSPCC to support its Light Up Christmas for Children campaign. The iconic shop- ping street has been transformed by festive snowflakes decorations featuring more than 750,000 bright-white LED bulbs and 1,778 baubles in a mile-long spectacular. NSPCC chief Peter Wanless said: “The switch-on is a fantastic way to celebrate the start of our Light Up Christmas for Children campaign which will be raising vital funds for Childline’s 24/7 counselling service.” The charity said one in 10 children experience sexual abuse but are to afraid to speak out – the money will go towards supporting schemes to help them. To support the NSPCC, you can buy the charity’s star pin from Matalan, Halfords and Ireland’s Chemist. There is also a special gold star pin on sale at John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Primark in Oxford Street.