12 Days of Christmas: Sir Ian McKellen on how you can help bring children back to life
On the tenth day of our festive video series the actor has delivered a message on some of the life-saving equipment your donations can provide
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox
Get our free View from Westminster email
Sir Ian McKellen today used a video message to make a direct appeal for support to fund equipment that can save lives at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The Lord of the Rings star urged readers to donate so clinicians at the UK’s largest children’s hospital could continue to carry out their life-changing wizardry on seriously ill young patients.
His appeal is the tenth instalment in The Independent's 12 Days of Christmas series which sees a new surprise celebrity back the Give the GOSH appeal every day in the run-up to December 25.
Sir Ian said: “Defibrillators are vital piece of emergency equipment at Great Ormond Street Hospital, used to revive children in cardiac arrest.
“Your donation to the Give to GOSH appeal could contribute to 10 new defibrillators to be used in high-dependency areas of the ward.”
Other big names to call for action have included John Bishop, Emilia Fox and Gillian Anderson.
One place the defibrillators may be used would be on a new cardiac unit being supported by our campaign.
The specialist centre will help to support children with heart failure to stay well while they wait for a heart transplant.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies