David Morrissey, Kola Bokinni and Mandip Gill get emotional reading homeless child’s wish for a ‘forever home’ this Christmas

avid Morrissey, Kola Bokinni and Mandip Gill get emotional reading homeless child’s wish for a ‘forever home’ this Christmas

Shocking new figures show159,380 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.

WATCH ‘LETTER TO SANTA’ FILM HERE

As many children begin writing their letters to Santa this Christmas, David Morrissey (Sherwood, The Walking Dead), Kola Bokinni (Race Across the World, Top Boy, Ted Lasso), Mandip Gill (Doctor Who), Molly Moorish-Gallagher (Model), Yinka Bokinni (BBC Radio 1xtra) and Malachi Kirby (Roots, Small Axe) are supporting Shelter in a powerful new film that features one young child’s heartfelt Christmas wish for a "forever home."

The film comes at a time when government figures reveal a record-breaking 159,380 children are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation—the highest number ever recorded.

In the film, celebrities read a letter, shared with Shelter, written by an 11-year-old boy who was living in temporary accommodation revealing his Christmas wishes. Liam makes simple yet meaningful requests to Santa, saying he doesn’t want new toys, just his old ones back that are in storage, and for a "forever home" where his family can “be happy again”.

More and more children are growing up homeless, spending months, sometimes even years, living in damp and overcrowded temporary accommodation. Decades of failure to build enough genuinely affordable social homes, combined with skyrocketing private rents, has forced many families into homelessness, often living in cramped hostels or B&Bs—with children sharing beds, and no place to play or do their homework.

David Morrissey (known for Sherwood, The Walking Dead and The White Queen) said: “It’s impossible not to be moved by the letter. It is a stark reminder of the harsh reality that so many children are facing – having to wish for a ‘forever’ home, or even something as simple as their own toys back. You can’t help but see how unsettling and lonely that must be.

“What strikes me is that the letter is still full of hope, despite the trauma that homelessness brings. By supporting Shelter this winter, you can help them be there for families to ensure that no child has to face this kind of uncertainty, now or in the future.”

Kola Bokinni (Recently on BBC’s Race Across the World and known for Top Boy, Ted Lasso)said: “Reading the letter really hit me. Instead of presents, all the child wants is a home, and his own toys out of storage. It’s devastating that he has to ask for that.

“Every child needs a safe, stable home and to feel happy and secure with their family - that shouldn’t be too much to ask. Yet this Christmas there are tens of thousands of children who are having to live without a home, experiencing the turmoil that homelessness brings.

“I’m proud to be supporting Shelter this winter, please join me so they can continue to be a lifeline for families facing homelessness and help ensure that no child is left without a safe place to call home.”

Mandip Gill (known for Doctor Who) said: “No child’s Christmas letter should include a wish for something as basic as a home. I remember being 11 and never in a million years could I have imagined writing a letter like this. It is heartbreaking to read – yet this situation is sadly not a one-off. There are tens of thousands of children in England wishing for the same this Christmas.

“All they’re asking for is a safe and stable home where their family can be happy again. By donating to Shelter, you can help them be there for families facing homelessness this Christmas.”

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: "As the numbers of children living in temporary accommodation climbs to another record high, this video paints a sobering picture of how this Christmas will be for many. No child should have to wish for a ‘forever home."

"Skyrocketing private rents and a dire lack of social housing is leaving families stuck for months, sometimes years, living in cramped hostels or grotty studio flats. Children are having to share kitchens and bathrooms with strangers and share beds with siblings with no space to have even their own toys around them.

"Shelter’s frontline teams are working tirelessly through our community services, emergency helpline, and online advice to provide expert help and support to help families find or keep a home this winter. But, as homelessness levels rise, we need the public’s support now more than ever so we can be there for anyone that needs us.”

To support Shelter’s urgent appeal, visit www.shelter.org.uk/winterappeal

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