THE NSPCC hopes to make Somerset children’s wishes come true this Christmas with its Letter from Santa campaign.

Letters from the North Pole will be making their way to children in Somerset detailing their name and why they have been good this year.

A recent survey from the charity showed the Christmas wishes of 170 children in the area, Of the 170, 20 per cent wanted to make sure everyone gets a Christmas dinner. Other responses included getting rid of all guns and to stop all wars. The charity believes that this shows awareness from the children about what is going on elsewhere in the world. More simple requests included Santa dishing out more presents, and 18 per cent said everyone should be get given a ride on his sleigh.

The NSPCC’s Letter from Santa campaign offers parents, carers or friends the chance to help fulfil children’s wishes by donating £5 to the charity in order to protect and support children on UK shores.

Childline is just one of the charity’s services that benefit from the funds raised from the Letter from Santa fundraising campaign, whichThe NSPCC’s Letter from Santa campaign offers a personalised letter to each and every child for a suggested £5 donation, which would cover the cost of a call to Childline with change to spare.

Sharon Copsey, NSPCC head of service for the South West, said: “Our Letter from Santa survey highlights children’s growing awareness and concern for the difficult plight of many other young people, both in this country and abroad.

“2016 has seen a succession of terrible stories about child abuse, neglect and suffering which has clearly left its mark on young people across the UK; its unsurprising that children’s thoughts are turning to those less fortunate than them at this time of year.

“Sending a letter from Santa to a child will help us to continue to provide vital services to vulnerable children, young people and their families over the holiday period and beyond.”

One young girl, Kady, 11, wrote in her letter to Santa: “Dear Santa, “I have been a very good girl this year. For Christmas I don’t want a present this year. Instead I want to ask if you can help keep all the other boys and girls in the world safe.

“Lots of things are making me worried including all the wars and fighting that is going on.

“Everyone is fighting and many people are being hurt.

“I hope their mums and dads can keep them safe.

“I am worried it might happen here, too.

“I hope I have been good enough for mum and dad that I get what I want for Christmas.

“If I have been extra good and you can do both, I would also like a PS4.”

For more information, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/LetterFromSanta