A charity that supports lonely older people has teamed-up with a Yorkshire production house and creative experts from the worlds of Shaun the Sheep and the Paddington TV series to develop a moving Christmas fundraising advert.
Re-engage, which helps reduce the feeling of isolation among those aged 75 and over, asked Wetherby-based Reel Film to work on the project after a competitive pitch. Reel was joined on the project by storyboard veteran David Bunting, who has worked for Aardman Animations (Shaun the Sheep, Wallace and Gromit) among others, and Tom Stratford, one of the animators who helped produce the Adventures of Paddington Series 2.
The charity, which celebrates its 60th anniversary next year, supports 7,000 older people through its free tea parties, activity groups and call befriending services throughout the UK run by its 9,000 volunteers.
Adam Chandler, founder and owner of Reel Film, said: “It’s brilliant to get two experienced names working together but on a really special project with our brilliant internal team. It’s been absolutely great working with both of them, the experience, creativity and drive they brought has been fantastic.
“The result is a great film that will hopefully bring home just how devastating loneliness can be and what great work Re-engage is doing to combat that. It’s been a pleasure working with them.”
Adam had a team of eight working on the two-minute animation, Friendship: The Perfect Present for Peter, which features a lonely older man who misses his family but is introduced to a new social circle through Re-engage’s free tea parties and call befriending service.
Colette Mullings, head of marketing and communications at Re-engage, said: “It really was a boost knowing David and Tom were helping put the film together. Reel were so easy to work with. They took our comments on board and have created a truly inspiring film. It beautifully sums up how our free support services help lonely older people like Peter who are often left isolated when family and friends are no longer around.”
Stratford added: “I hope the film helps raise awareness of the fantastic work Re-Engage is doing and encourages people to donate or volunteer their time for a great cause.”
Bunting concluded: “Amidst all the tinsel-coated sparkly Christmas commercials crammed with happy families, having the chance to shine a light on one of the hardest times of year for people who feel lonely and forgotten, I hope this helps people reflect and Re-engage with their neighbours.”
