NEWS: Write Christmas brings much-needed seasonal cheer starring Greater Manchester talent

JULIE HESMONDHALGH, STEVE EVETS AND SHELLEY KING LEAD THE LINE UP OF GREATER MANCHESTER ACTORS BRINGING YOU SOME MUCH NEEDED CHRISTMAS CHEER AND RAISING MONEY FOR WOOD STREET MISSION

Write Christmas has been devised to bring some positivity to a potentially difficult holiday time. The aim is to inspire, involve and share fictional stories, videos, Christmas messages and more from boroughs across Greater Manchester, involving GM schools/groups for young people and actors and writers from all backgrounds. Work will be filmed and shared on each of the 12 days leading up to Christmas. Each ‘episode’, released online and as a podcast will share a piece by young people from our local schools and an adult writer. The project will be running to raise awareness and funds for the Wood Street Mission, a charity helping children and families living on a low income in Manchester and Salford.

Christmas is usually a time we associate being about family, happiness, giving and receiving presents. It's also a time that can be quite difficult for very many people. Particularly this year. Therefore we want to bring some much needed Christmas cheer into people’s homes in the lead up to the big day with these festive stories. They will be told by a mix of actors - some of which being familiar faces! Cherylee Houston (Coronation Street), Julie Hesmondhalgh (Broadchurch), Haiesha Mistry (Hollyoaks), Steve Evets (Brassic), Shelley King (Coronation Street), Melissa Johns (Life) and Dean Fagan (Coronation Street) amongst the cast.