It just wouldn't be Christmas without another helping of Sky 1 HD's festive favourite.
Noel Edmonds and his team resume gift-giving duties, recognising and rewarding the country's most deserving individuals. In keeping with tradition, this seasonal special is more warming than a mug or two of mulled wine, packed with extraordinary stories of bravery, compassion and kindness.
This year's participants include Andrea Thompson, 42, and 11-year-old Dylan Ward, both nominated for their tireless charity work. Andrea's son Jordan died in 2007 after a 19-month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and, in memory, she launched the Jordan David Thompson Memorial Fund (The Toma Fund) in 2008. She ran the charity alongside the Teenage Cancer Trust at the RVI in Newcastle and Andrea raised over £350,000 towards the build of the Teenage Cancer Unit at the RVI which was opened in May 2010. She then decided to broaden the aims of the charity and become an independent charity last year. Meanwhile, Dylan has been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support following the loss of his grandad to bowel cancer in 2009.
Thirty-eight-year-old Steve Carter wants Noel's help to say a big thank you to his four children, Cameron, 9, Ethan, 7, Aaron, 4, and 2-year-old Leah. The Carters' lives were turned upside-down by the death of loving wife and mother, Denise. She suffered a brain haemorrhage during childbirth and never found out that she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Leah. Steve credits the kids for their unbelievable courage, and for all the support and inspiration they've given him.
The next dream to come true is for little Olivia Hext, 8, who has been a devoted sister to twin brothers Spencer and Harvey. Both five-year-olds have Down's syndrome and, in 2010, Harvey was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer, the only Down's syndrome child ever known to have the condition. Life hasn't been easy and, since the diagnosis, the family haven't been able to spend more than a week together. Parents Sarah and Dave want Olivia to know how much they've appreciated her during this difficult time.
Last but by no means least is Di Bradley, a 52-year-old pub landlady. She hasn't had a day off in the last eight years and is committed to helping the elderly and disabled residents of Weston-super-Mare. Although Di doesn't expect anything in return, Noel is a firm believer in the old adage that hard work should pay off.
Noel's Christmas Presents 2011 airs Sunday 18 December at 6.30pm
Buy 'Lonely Sky (featuring Chris de Burgh)' by Ben and Jamie Hazleby, on iTunes
