12 Days of Christmas: John Bishop on the one extraordinary hospital your donations will support

In the first of 12 festive Give to GOSH video messages, the comedian explains how your money will help keep Great Ormond Street Hospital one of the best children's hospitals in the world

John Bishop has launched The Independent’s 12 Days of Christmas series as part of The Independent’s record-breaking appeal for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) today.

The stand-up comedian is the first of a dozen surprise celebrity backers to back Give to GOSH with a special video message in the lead up to Christmas.

It launches three days after our Give to GOSH campaign topped a million pounds and became the fastest money-raising Christmas appeal in The Independent’s history.

Every day from now until Christmas Day a famous face will make an online appeal that focuses on the many different ways that your donations will help GOSH’s life-changing work.

Young patients also make special appearances to give their unique perspectives on the effect fundraising will have on some of the country’s most seriously ill children.

Bishop said: “Great Ormond Street Hospital needs more space and modern buildings so that more children can receive world-class care.

“Your donation to the Give to GOSH appeal will help their ambitious redevelopment programme. This includes building a special unit for children with heart failure so that they can receive a life-changing heart transplant.“

Other mystery celebrities, including footballers, actors and TV personalities, will make calls for support to fund expensive medical equipment, arts programmes and specialist research.

Their appeals follow endorsements from A-listers such as David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay and Johnny Depp, whose daughter was treated at the hospital.

If you Give to GOSH, your donation will be matched by the Government, doubling its amount. To donate go to: http://ind.pn/1Mydxqt