Despite the ongoing restrictions, our wonderful supporters have been busy fundraising in their communities on our behalf and we are delighted to share a selection of the fun and creative ways they have been helping to spread smiles over the past few months. You are all making a positive and measurable difference to the lives of seriously ill children isolating in hospital at this time. Thank you all so much. We are always thrilled to support your efforts so please do be in touch if you have a fundraising idea – fundraising@spreadasmile.org
- Sultana Begum and her son wanted to give back to Spread a Smile and organised a cycling challenge for the children of their friends and family, raising £2,184 We entertained her son in hospital and everyone wanted to show him and the charity their support. Sultana explained, ‘”This is a huge leap for him, fighting back from the crippling effects of chemotherapy. Through this dark and difficult time Spread a Smile was a shining light for us to help lift up our spirits and make the pain a little easier.” Thank you so much to all the children who took part, you are amazing.
- The Hibberd family hosted a charity golf day in memory of their son, Louie. Friends and family were out in force for a wonderful day of sport and companionship and raised more than £10,000.
- SFC Academy adopted Spread a Smile as their charity of the year. The Hertfordshire based football academy is attended by more than 100 young players, who will all be sporting the Spread a Smile logo on the front of their strip this season.
- Override, a brand new spin studio in Woodside Park, North London set cyclists the challenge to cycle the distance between the studio and Great Ormond Street Hospital and back. More than 50 cyclists took part, raising more than £500.
- Aran Char and 13 of his amazing friends – Alvin, Leila, Joseph, Tess, George, Max, Joe, Eleanor, Eddie, Willow, Miles, Sam and Lucia took on the ultimate challenge for any pre-teen by going Device Free for 48 hours, raising £880. Well done for making it through.
- Friends of Sam Hanson, including his brother, Rhys, Jude, Josh, Teddy, Lois and Maeve, became ‘legends’ by completing an extreme obstacle course in Black Park, Buckinghamshire.
- Nine year old, Mia Simpson, cut her beautiful hair and raised £213, in memory of her friend, Vanessa Moss who we entertained in hospital. Everyone was very interested in why Mia had chosen Spread a Smile to benefit from her fundraiser and she took the time to tell each and every one of them about our work. Well done Mia.