Celebrities jump to raise festive funds and spread good cheer

CHARITY: Wellknown faces in Fife and Tayside will be wearing their winter woollies for Christmas Jumper Day on Friday

Some of Tayside and Fife’s best-known faces are spreading the festive spirit while raising vital charity funds.

Tennis star Judy Murray, Fife crime author Ian Rankin and Kinross chef Tom Kitchin will join the Christmas jumper craze on Friday.

The day is being celebrated by charity Save the Children as Christmas Jumper Day, with participants wearing their winter woolies for the cause.

Since its launch in 2012, the event has raised £21 million for the charity, with schools, universities and workplaces taking part.

Save the Children’s Beverley Kirk said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people across Scotland preparing to dig out their silliest sweaters to support vulnerable children in Scotland and around the world.

“Christmas Jumper Day is Save the Children’s biggest single fundraising event, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who is planning to support our cause and the children we work with.

“Personally I love the home-made efforts that children create and I know we’ll be seeing some real treats over the next few days.

“If you’ve already registered to take part, or are planning to, then we send our most heartfelt and festive thanks – we hope you have great fun”.

This year Save the Children want people to have the most sustainable Christmas Jumper Day ever, by encouraging people to get creative and upcycle festive jumpers.

They are encouraging schools to hold jumper swaps and have also launched a recyclable bag that people can request online and use to donate old jumpers.

A host of Scottish stars have taken part in the past including Alan Cumming, Lorraine Kelly, Ashley Jensen, Deacon Blue and The Proclaimers.

The money raised will go towards the charity’s work both internationally and projects in Scotland and throughout the UK.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who is planning to support our cause and the children we work with. BEVERLEY KIRK, SAVE THE CHILDREN

Pictures: Sandy Young Photography. Clockwise from above: Judy Murray, Ian Rankin and Tom Kitchen with their festive attire.