Anna Maxwell Martin stars in festive film to raise money for children in poverty

Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin has starred in a new Christmas short film in a bid to raise awareness and money for children in poverty.

Santaland, which has been made by the Action For Children charity, sees the 48-year-old play a busy elf at the end of her shift, when she is unexpectedly stopped by a curious six-year-old girl, named Lily, who has missed the chance to visit Father Christmas in person.

Maxwell Martin, who is an ambassador for the charity, said: “I wanted to collaborate with Action For Children on this special film to shout about the shocking levels of poverty across the UK which are shattering childhoods.

“It’s easy to think that poverty happens elsewhere, but it’s affecting children in every community; a child that’s going without breakfast or dinner, without a warm coat or might be feeling a lot of shame.

“For many, Christmas is just another day of empty cupboards and wondering why their friend got presents and they didn’t.

“Childhood is short. Children only get a few chances to make magical memories. That’s why we need your support now.”

The film sees Lily ask Maxwell Martin’s character questions about Father Christmas, such as whether he will encounter any challenges when making the trip to deliver her present on Christmas Eve, before it becomes apparent that her family cannot afford to celebrate Christmas.

The feature asks viewers to become a “secret Santa” for a vulnerable child by donating to Action For Children.

Locks Farmer, managing director of income and engagement at the charity, said: “We are very grateful to our ambassador, Anna Maxwell Martin, for lending her voice and acting talent to help shine a light on the devastating reality facing children and their families in poverty.

“At Christmas, our frontline workers witness children sleeping on cold, hard floors with only a blanket, and they take calls from desperate parents in tears because they’ve skipped meals so their children can eat.

“Action For Children is often the last lifeline for families with nowhere else to turn, and without the generosity of public donations, we simply couldn’t continue this vital work.”

Maxwell Martin has won two Baftas for her roles as Esther Summerson in the BBC adaptation of Bleak House, and as N in the Channel 4 adaptation of Poppy Shakespeare, she is also known for playing DCS Patricia Carmichael in BBC One crime drama Line Of Duty.