There's nothing more important for children than families being together at Christmas, and as a huge supporters of Great Ormond Street Hospital, Nick Knowles, Jessica Knowles and their son Eddie were very keen to get together to record a video for HELLO! magazine to help raise money for the charity's campaign to make sure the children in their care are with their families this Christmas too.
"This year I've been lucky enough to work at Great Ormond Street building a garden on the rooftop there, and it's obvious that families spend a lot of their lives there," Nick tells HELLO!
"So leading up to Christmas there will be a lot of families in Great Ormond Street and a lot of the staff there to support them too. We'd like you to donate towards Great Ormond Street if you possible can."
Nick, 54, and Jessica, 29, married in Rome four years ago but split last January. But the pair remain devoted parents to two-year-old Eddie and the doting parents revealed that Christmas for him is all about the lights and decorations at the moment - although he does have a long list for Santa that includes a duck and a snake his parents aren't quite so sure about those requests!).
"What would Eddie like most for Christmas? He would like to take home a duck from the river," laughs Nick.
"And a snake actually," adds Jessica.
"A giant snake! We're not to keen on that idea because the one that he picked out was a boa constrictor that was looking at him like it wanted to eat him," the toddler’s dad continues.
"To be honest it's all about the lights at the age he is, and everything being magical. Although he's got the hang of presents; if you give him a present he'll rip it open straight away. But he's more interested in the ripping than the actual present."
Jessica is delighted that their "golden child" Eddie is enjoying the festivities, as she says Christmas is her favourite time of year.
"Christmas probably starts in about November and goes through to January – I go big on Christmas, Big on family, lights, food. We probably put on about 2 stone over Christmas," she says. "Our favourite Christmas movie is Elf, with Will Farrell, it's hilarious… My favourite song is Fairytale of New York, it makes me feel so Christmassy."
We hope that you will join Jessica, Nick and HELLO! by supporting this very worthy cause. We all like to be with our loved ones this time of year. For the families of patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital, this is especially true.
With your support, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity could help fund family accommodation so mums, dads, brothers and sisters can stay close by, or help fund the creation of bigger rooms in new hospital wards so parents of the most seriously ill children can stay by their bedside 24 hours a day.
The charity also funds play specialists so that children can enjoy some festive fun despite going through very difficult times, and funds research and equipment that will enable the hospital to find new cures and save more lives.
Every donation to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity will help keep families together this Christmas. And be sure to check back tomorrow to find out which of our wonderful celebs will be popping out from door number 23!
Make a donation to GOSH CC online, or by texting FIVE to 70111*
*Texts cost £5 plus your standard network rate. Please ask the bill payer’s permission. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity will receive 100% of your gift. We may contact you to tell you more about our work; if you would prefer we didn’t text NOCALL GOSH to 78866. Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Registered charity no. 1160024