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Brands tap into Christmas values of goodwill Npower lights up Macmillan ‘Marks & Shelter’ food for thought As a festive treat, this year, Npower partnered up with Macmillan Cancer Support in creating Npower’s ‘Light Sky’. An inspiring campaign, celebrating and encouraging displays of love and affection through a series of holograms. It gave people across the nation the chance to see a message from their loved ones twinkling above London’s skyline. Marks & Spencer has been working in partnership with housing and homelessness charity ‘Shelter’ for more than 12 years, and this year sees no different. It has become a tradition to donate 5% from each sale of its Festive Collection to the charity. Last year alone the donations from the retailer funded the Shelter helpline throughout the festive period; allowing for the free national helpline to offer expert advice, support and legal aid to anyone struggling with issues relating to housing and homelessness, revealed to be especially heightened during the Christmas period. The Light Sky transformed each message into a 3D holographic animation, infused with a Christmas theme and propelled above London. From 29th November to 1 December people were encouraged to head down to the observation point on London’s South Bank to both send and view the messages. Npower’s activation was opened up with the help of Amanda Holden (famous for Britain's Got Talent… we think!) by sharing her own personal message of love and hope as all the messages began to twinkle above the Thames. In partnership and aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, this emotive experience ran over 3 days to raise money for Macmillan, celebrating the work they provide to those affected by cancer; when people submitted their messages they were asked to also donate £4 to the worthy course. Npower is a long-standing charity partner of Macmillan Cancer Support, having so far contributed £10.5 million in donations. This Christmas, Marks & Spencer will also set up an activation for commuters at Waterloo station, offering people a free taste of the M&S Collection for Shelter – whilst commuters try these new festive delights they will also be able to escape the busy streets of London to enjoy the Christmas treats through a virtual reality headset, transporting you to a bright red Christmas- themed dining room in order to enhance the Christmas feel. Marks & Spencer undoubtedly provides some of the best Christmas treats around, so get yourself down to your closest branch and tuck into The Turkey Feast Sandwich or grab yourself the brand new VEGAN Christmas wrap – they might not do wonders to the waistline, but at least you’ll have the excuse that you’re doing it all for charity!