Harrogate mums help inspire 'ring a bell' idea on Christmas Eve in campaign backed by Greatest Hits Radio

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Greatest Hits Radio is working with official organisers to encourage people across the UK to take part in the ‘Christmas Eve Jingle’ and gather on their doorsteps to ring a bell at 6pm for two minutes on Christmas Eve.

The idea was put together by a group of mums in Harrogate and the campaign has been quickly gathering support across the UK and worldwide, with a Facebook group attracting close to 300,000 members.

Taking inspiration from the ‘Clap for Carers’ initiative that took the UK by storm during lockdown, families and communities are invited to take part and help create a spark of magic and cheer after what has been an incredibly tough year for all.

Backed by Greatest Hits Radio, the campaign is taking further momentum as presenters including Mark Goodier, Pat Sharp and Janice Long invite more of us to share some much-needed festive cheer.

And the station has made thousands of jingle bells available for purchase for anyone looking to take part.

The sale of the bells will help raise a potential £30,000 for children living in poverty, and profits from any bells purchased will go directly to the charity’s Mission Christmas campaign, which gifts young people Christmas presents who may otherwise go without.

Christmas Eve Jingle organiser Mary Beggs-Reid said “We are so thrilled to have the support of Greatest Hits Radio in helping reach as many people as possible for the Christmas Eve Jingle.

"We can't wait to bring hope, magic and the spirit of Christmas to communities across the country.”

Priced at just £5 and available on the Greatest Hits Radio website, all net proceeds from the bells will go towards their official charity Cash for Kids, whose mission is to respond to the needs of disadvantaged children and young people in our communities.

Greatest Hits Radio presenter Pat Sharp said “We saw the amazing efforts of the organisers in putting the Christmas Eve Jingle initiative together, and we wanted to support them however we could. Spreading festive cheer across the country, we can’t wait for everyone to join us out on our doorsteps this Christmas Eve.”

Greatest Hits Radio provides a playlist of the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s, including music from iconic artists such as Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston.

Listen in on FM, DAB digital radio, online, on your mobile device or smart speaker to hear well-known presenters including Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier, Janice Long, Pat Sharp, Paul Gambaccini and many more, along with a selection of seasonal hits this Christmas.

To find out more about the Worldwide Christmas Jingle and download a poster to show that you’re taking part, head to the Greatest Hits Radio website.

For further details on how you can donate to Cash For Kids’ Mission Christmas Appeal or how you can buy one extra gift for a child who needs it this Christmas, please head to this website.

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