J.K. Rowling: I’ve had so many lovely messages wishing me a merry Christmas. Thank you! I’ve also heard from people who are going through very tough times. These always seem worse at Christmas.

At this time of year, we’re bombarded with images of perfect lives, which bear as little relation to reality as tinsel does to gold. If you’re lucky enough to be with the people you love, warm and safe, with enough to eat, I’m sure you feel as blessed as I do.

But if your life is currently full of difficulties; if you aren’t where you want to be, either literally or figuratively, remember that extraordinary transformations are possible. Everything changes. Nothing is forever.

Thinking back to my worst Christmas, I found it hard to believe that my unhappiness would pass. I was truly afraid of the future. You never know what the future holds. Astonishing reversals of fortune happen every minute.

So if you’re sad, or lonely, or bereaved, or ill, separated from your loved ones or in any other way suffering this Christmas, I send you love and wish you luck and better times. Millions of us have been where you are now.

Remember, Christmas Day is, in the end, just a day. It isn’t a test or a scorecard of you or your life, so be kind to yourself - ❄️☃️✨�� Merry Christmas! ��✨☃️❄️

J.K. Rowling: As we plan to celebrate this festive season with our families, please spare a thought for the estimated 8 million children who are in institutions worldwide. For many, Christmas is just another day in a cold, destitute place, where they are scared and alone, often hungry. For all it is another day without the love of a family or any affection at all.

Lumos is working to change the lives of these children every single day. Your extraordinary support of our We Are Lumos Worldwide campaign this year – whether you donated your time or money, raised awareness or attended one of our amazing fundraising events – made it possible for more children to be home with families for their very first real Christmas. You have helped us come closer to reaching our goal of ending the institutionalization of children by 2050, and for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Please continue to support Lumos and help us to spread the word.

Together we can give these children what every child needs and deserves – the love of a family.