‘Sherlock Holmes’ star Benedict Cumberbatch is among the celebrities sharing their letters to Santa this year, as part of the Letters Live series, marking national letter writing day. In his letter Cumberbatch states that Christmas has been “bastardised to represent materialism gone mad” and asks for Santa to help distract children from “from the realities of a world gone mad”.

Benedict CumberbatchBenedict Cumberbatch has shared his letter to Santa.

"This is what I'd like to ask you to help with. A little more time for children to be children. Stretch the moment of magic and playfulness,” Cumberbatch wrote. "Distract them from the realities of a world gone mad so that they can laugh with their breath rather than sob with their tears.”

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“Especially those caring for family members, or suffering illness, hunger or poverty. Especially those hiding in buildings as bombs rain down, or being handed shaking with fear or cold into a boat to escape environmental disaster or war.”

“Please help to light up their worlds with a moment of joy and hope.” Cumberbatch ended his letter by telling Father Christmas, "I feel a little sorry for you. And I guess I've done exactly what I said I wouldn't ... Asked you to help with adult problems and solve some of the greatest worries we have for our children. I promise to leave some extra port and mince pies for you!"

Actress Thandie Newton also took part in the series, telling Santa: ‘My request is that you let Mrs Claus come this year. Yes, your silent partner. I know she's the force that keeps you full of beans. You wouldn't be so jolly, energetic and kind without the presence of a woman in your life.’

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The series also includes letters from singer Annie Lennox, comedian Russell Brand, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and Life of Pi author Yann Martel. The Letters Live event will take place next March at London’s Freemasons' Hall. The event is inspired by Shaun Usher's international best-selling Letters Of Note series.