Military personnel to read heart-warming CBeebies Bedtime Stories over Christmas
Members of the Armed Forces will read the inspirational children's book The Invisible String in an extra special episode of the BBC's CBeebies Bedtime Stories over Christmas.
The readers are all parents or family members who cannot always be with their loved ones at special times of the year such as Christmas.
They are therefore telling the story of The Invisible String, the intangible but unbreakable connections between loved ones.
Sergeant Shannon Bennett, who read her part from Estonia, where she has been protecting Nato's eastern flank, knows how hard it is to spend time away from family as she has a three-year-old daughter at home.
She said: "Christmas can be a bittersweet affair for UK Armed Forces personnel, as many of us spend the festive period deployed thousands of miles away from our loved ones.
"On Christmas Day this year there will be almost 7,000 sailors, soldiers and aviators who will miss the chance of Christmas dinner with family, or a cosy reading session with their children, because they are stationed abroad anywhere from the Falkland Islands to the Indo-Pacific.
"That's why this special CBeebies Bedtime Stories episode will resonate so deeply with people who are serving.
"Because while they are upholding peace and security around the world, they are still missing the simplicity of tucking their children into bed."
The Invisible String, written by Patrice Karst and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, celebrates the strong connection binding those who love each other, even when they are many miles apart – a lifestyle military children are very familiar with.
Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, the Brigade Major of the Household Division who led the military procession for the Coronation of King Charles III, is among the parents who read for the festive special.
Service personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will be seen reading the story from locations such as Bahrain, Estonia, Cyprus and the deck of HMS Prince of Wales, the UK's largest warship.
In addition, soldiers and veterans in the UK will also feature at iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London and Horse Guards Parade.
The Invisible String will air on Saturday 23 December in its usual time slot of 18:50 on CBeebies and on BBC iPlayer.
And the fun doesn't end there.
On Christmas Day, CBeebies' favourites Justin Fletcher and Dodge The Dog will join children at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Justin will read The Hospital Dog by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Sara Ogilvie, a big-hearted tale about a brave Dalmatian called Dot who visits children in hospital.
Viewers will see the smiles and warm reactions of the equally brave patients at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Justin will end the story by saying: "A very special Christmas wish to those who can't be at home this Christmas: this wish is for you."
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