WATCH out John Lewis, Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s, the RSPCA is throwing its hat into the Christmas advert ring with the story of a young boy doing all he can to help animals in need.
The video - made entirely in-house by the RSPCA’s broadcast team and starring staff and friends who gave up their own time for filming - features a cover of Kings of Leon’s ‘Use Somebody’ and the charity hopes it will inspire all generations to be kind to animals this festive season.
RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “When I first saw the Christmas video I must admit I was moved to tears. It’s a beautiful story and encapsulates the everyday work of the RSPCA.
“We hope that this touching film will inspire the next generation of pet owners and animal rescuers, and also encourage viewers to make a small donation to the RSPCA so we can help the thousands of animals who need us this Christmas.
“Every act of kindness can make a big difference. And we hope our heartwarming video and beautiful song will encourage everyone to think of the animals and help us help the thousands of animals who could be facing cruelty, neglect and suffering this Christmas.”
Singer and RSPCA press officer Lucy Ellie Cooper recorded a cover of ‘Use Somebody’ for the film after the band gave special permission for their song to be used as part of the video.
The video was created by the RSPCA’s in-house video producer Amie Hill with help from the rest of the broadcast team and featured animals rescued by the charity as well as staff members and local children who volunteered to take part.
Amie came up with the idea after speaking to the charity’s frontline officers and taking inspiration from their real-life stories of childhood animal rescues and their relationships with animals.
RSPCA broadcast manager Alan Laxton - who oversaw the project - said: "We're all really proud of this beautiful film that perfectly showcases the work of the RSPCA as well as the overarching reason why we all work here - because we love animals.
"We are lucky to have such talent at the RSPCA which means we are able to produce a film to rival adverts by the likes of John Lewis, but without the big budgets.
“If the film inspires just one person to make a donation, one family to rehome a rescue pet or one child to grow up being kinder to animals then we’ve done our job!”
The video - released today - comes following the charity’s success last year when the Christmas video, called Stars, went viral with more than six million views.
The launch of this year’s video supports the RSPCA’s Christmas fundraising appeal, Delivering Kindness at Christmas, as staff and volunteers prepare for one of the busiest times of year.
This winter the RSPCA is asking the nation to show kindness to all of the animals who don’t have loving families to spoil them this Christmas. Based on the last three winters, the RSPCA expect more than 10,000 animals to be taken into our care this winter. More than 8,000 animals spent Christmas Day in the charity’s care last year.
The animal welfare charity’s 24-hour cruelty hotline received nearly 56,000 calls over the Christmas period last year.
It costs more than £500,000 to run an RSPCA centre for a year, but just £3 can buy an abandoned pet a toy, or £6 could feed a dog for a week over Christmas, while £12 could give an animal the gift of comfort - providing blanket, toys and a tasty treat.
- This Christmas, the charity is asking the public to support its Delivering Kindness at Christmas campaign. To donate, please visit www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness.
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