Mirror Christmas Appeal 2025
Lifelites
To mark its 25th anniversary, Lifelites set out to achieve a step-change in national awareness, shifting from a largely under-recognised charity to a leading voice in children’s palliative care and assistive technology.
A year-long communications strategy built a powerful narrative platform: 25 years of enabling connection, inclusion and fun. Through the Lifelites 25 programme, 25 Voices storytelling series, and sustained national and regional media engagement including ITV News, the charity developed compelling, authentic content and momentum.
This culminated in securing and delivering the Mirror’s 2025 Christmas Appeal, a defining national campaign.
Across 14 features in print and online, Lifelites brought the voices of children, families and care professionals to millions, supported by celebrity and influencer amplification. The campaign intentionally challenged misconceptions, reframing children’s palliative care as life-affirming and centred on connection, not loss.
The results were exceptional. The appeal reached millions nationwide, raised over £30,000, unprecedented for a charity of Lifelites’ size, and was described by the Mirror as one of its most successful campaigns. It also drove wider engagement and income growth, contributing to a 31% increase in fundraising.
Praised by narrative-change charity HEARD as “a great example of how to reframe the conversation,” the campaign delivered far more than visibility.
It marked a decisive shift in awareness, credibility and influence, firmly establishing Lifelites as the trusted, leading voice in assistive technology and children’s palliative care.