Three fine charities

Today is our annual charity phone-in day at the

Telegraph, from

10am to 6pm, when we invite readers to call the office and talk to our writers and staff who will be manning the phones. We are raising money for three magnificent causes. First, there is Wooden Spoon, a rugby-based children’s charity that funds life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland to support children and young people with disabilities or those facing disadvantage.

Secondly, we are backing Leukaemia Care, which provides information and support to people affected by blood cancer and works to increase rates of early diagnosis. And last but not least, we are also fundraising for The Silver Line, a 24-hour helpline and support service that offers practical advice and friendship for lonely elderly people.

Charity and volunteerism keep this country going. We have a large, generous welfare state, it’s true, but there’s an invisible army behind the scenes of men and women willing to give their time and money to good causes – causes that sometimes the government cannot reach.

Every year that we run our Christmas charity appeal, we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our readers. It is perhaps appropriate that the phone-in takes place on the first day of Advent, as families across the country enter the period of preparation for Christmas. This is a season of hope and renewal, and these are the qualities that these three fine charities stand for, too.

If you wish to donate, please call 0800 117 118 or go to telegraph.co.uk/charity. Thank you.