A SAINTS footballing legend is backing the NSPCC’s ‘Light up Christmas for Children’ campaign.

Matt Le Tissier will support the campaign by wearing the charity’s festive star pin badge created exclusively for it which runs throughout December and raises vital funds to help run Childline, a 24-hour counselling service for children and young people.

The support from Le Tissier comes as volunteers at the helpline are preparing to work over Christmas as children get in touch on issues including sexual abuse, family problems, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Across four of the main festive days last year – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve 2016 and New Year’s Day 2017 – Childline across the UK delivered 2,490 counselling sessions, up from 2,353 on the same days the previous year.

Among those, Children’s mental and emotional health was the most frequently-expressed concern faced by Childline counsellors over the festive period, followed by family relationships and suicidal feelings.

Matt said: “The NSPCC is a fantastic charity and I am proud to show my support by wearing my star pin badge. All the money raised will help the NSPCC give children a brighter future through its Childline service.”

The pin badge is available for a suggested donation of £1 at Halfords and Matalan outlets in Hampshire.

The public can also support the campaign by texting to donate, to donate £4 text ‘NSPCC 4’ to 70744.