THE GIFT OF GIVING

Sally Phillips on her bond with Renée Zellweger, her family's festive traditions and how she's helping care leavers get Christmas dinners

- INTERVIEW: JACK MALVERN

For Sally Phillips, the most emotional part of supporting the Gold from the Stone Foundation's mission to help those who have left children's care homes is the “quilted hugs” made by a community of volunteers called Quilts for Care Leavers.

The actress and writer, whose comic roles include Shazzer in the Bridget Jones films, is urging people to give to the charity during its participation in the Big Give's Christmas Challenge, a scheme that promises to match every donation made between 2 and 9 December, doubling the amount that charities receive.

The foundation's main aim is to provide Christmas dinners for care leavers - those who have grown up with foster parents or in residential care - but guests also receive a personalised quilt to represent the hugs they have missed out on.

Sally, 55, became involved with the charity after meeting the poet Lemn Sissay, who founded it because of his experience growing up in residential care. She recalled how Lemn had broken down because “all he wanted was a hug; they're not allowed to be touched [by staff] in a care home”, she tells HELLO!.

“They make quilts for each of the guests for these dinners and they are personalised – so, if you live by the sea, you may get one with boats and fish.”

FESTIVE FEAST