Meet the inspirational Accrington woman has been dressing up as an elf every day this month to help raise funds for charity.

Roxanne McCarthy has been fronting her company’s ‘Mental Elf’ campaign which has already raised £1,700 for Lancashire Mind and her daily dose of uplifting messages has helped bring a great deal of seasonal joy to people across the town.

Roxanne has been going about her daily business and even admitted to having an Elf onesie which she slept in.

She told us: “I was only meant to do it for a few days but then I got such a great response I decided to continue for the whole of December.

“I was motivated to do something this year to help raise more awareness of mental health in the community. My own friend took their own life during the first lockdown and I just wanted to let people know that no matter what, there is always help out there.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

Roxanne, a Transformation Analyst at Studio Retail Limited, was joined by friend Rebecca Broadly who also dressed as an elf for the first 12 days of December.

Roxanne said: “The aim was also to encourage colleagues to stay active and promote good wellbeing.

“I wanted to share some of my own struggles. People say I am always positive and energetic but even I must reach out and admit to feeling low.”

She set herself a few ‘elf house rules’ to follow which included treating ‘each day like it was Christmas’ and ‘there’s room for everyone on the nice list’.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Roxanne said she was stopped regularly around town and the good wishes helped her.

She said: “I have had such a warm response from people. Kids of course are really inspired to see an elf walking around town.

“It has also helped with donations and people have been so kind and generous.

“The present environment and the lockdown has not had a great effect on people’s mental health and I hope I have helped in some way.”

Roxanne has been posting uplifting messages on her social media every day.

Among them was this: “I have found my self-esteem and confidence can often be affected by your environment or what I see online. I took a social media break in November.

“When I returned I had a different perspective. It made me realise that people get to choose how to present themselves online... AND in reality, no one’s life is perfect and everyone has insecurities. Right now, more than ever it’s easy to get lost in someone else’s world.

“It’s important to remember to NOT feel bad about yourself when you see someone’s ‘perfect’ selfies and life online. Don’t let things have a negative effect on your self-esteem. Be focused on you and how you can build your self-esteem, your energy, your confidence and positivity.

“Just remember, be kind to yourself, we are NOT all perfect and we all deserve happiness.”

If you want to support Studio Retail’s ‘Mental Elf’ Christmas Campaign click here