A CHARITY is asking people to spread Christmas cheer by dressing up as elves.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) NHS Trust’s charity Headlight wants the community to help bring some sparkle to service users who will be spending their Christmas as inpatients or alone.

They are inviting people to dress as an elf or in another festive outfit on Friday, December 7 as part of Mental Elf Day and raise money to help those who are not spending Christmas with their family.

Each year Headlight provides festive treats and care packages, recognising that the festive season can be a challenging time for mental health and small touches can make the biggest difference in bringing cheer to someone’s Christmas.

Tia, fundraising manager, said: “At this time of year the outside world is feeling festive, so we want to do what we can to bring that Christmas glow into our hospitals too.

“It’s a major event in the Headlight calendar each year, and we spend over £10,000 on Christmas extras for service users of the Trust.

“All the support we receive from the community to make it happen is greatly appreciated, and we are so grateful for everyone who donates or participates.”

Sign up at headlightcharity.org.uk/mental-elf-day-2018/ to receive a free fundraisers’ pack.

To donate go to justgiving.com/campaign/headlightchristmas2018.