Stephen Twigg MP: MPs can make things better with a sweater by supporting Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day
Events like Christmas Jumper Day help support Save the Children to change the lives of children, says Stephen Twigg MP.
With Brexit continuing to dominate Parliamentary business, this is going to be quite the week in Westminster.
However, when we make it to Friday we have the chance to celebrate Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day where millions of people across the UK pull on their festive woollies to show their commitment to development and creating a brighter future for children by lending their support to a great cause.
Sometimes we feel like a nation divided. That’s why I welcome Christmas Jumper Day. It is an important reminder of the thing that binds us and the reason many of us went into politics: our national commitment to tackle global injustice and work to tackle systemic and exploitative structures.
Christmas Jumper Day is meant to be fun. But there is a serious side to it. Around the world, people don’t have access to necessities nor the infrastructure or opportunities necessary to achieve their potential.
Up and down the country, classrooms, offices and communities will be coming together to bring essential food, healthcare, education, and protection to children in need as well as raising awareness of the importance of these things.
Events like these help support Save the Children to change the lives of children like Sammy* from Rwanda, who attends the Let’s Read! Programme in his community.
“I learned to read by going to the reading club,” says Sammy. “Now I help some friends in school. When they don’t understand, I help them if I can. The teachers say it’s a shame to see a grown-up who is given a book and can’t read. To get a job, you need to read and write.”
As well as helping Sammy in the classroom, the programme supports Rwandan publishers, writers, and illustrators to create engaging, educational titles in Kinyarwanda. This means local jobs, better resources for kids, and a brighter, fairer future for Rwanda.
Last year, over 5 million Brits took part. This Friday, with Save the Children asking the nation to get involved by wearing their favourite festive knits to help children in need. I’m calling on Parliament to step up our game and get involved too.
There are a few easy ways to can get involved – the first is to visit the Christmas Jumper Day website and sign up to run an event of your own.
If you’re an MP, you can also pop along to the Christmas Jumper Day Drop-in Event in Parliament on 12th December in Interview Room (IR) 2, in Portcullis House, between 12.30 and 2.30pm to show your support. I’ll be there, and I hope you will be too!
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
