CHARITIES in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire will benefit from the ITV Text Santa fundraiser after the televised event raised its biggest amount to date of £5,503,065.

The Text Santa fundraiser was aired on Friday, December 19 at 8pm with the aim to raise money and awareness for the charities through over three hours of entertainment.

Six charities were chosen to become a Text Santa beneficiary for the 2014 appeal, including Alzheimer’s Society, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Teenage Cancer Trust, Together for Short Lives and WellChild.

The funds will be split equally between the charities and the appeal has now raised nearly £15 million since it first aired in 2011.