The Spread a Smile team went the extra mile during half-term to support seriously ill children through a variety of brilliant family focussed events, welcoming an incredible 240 children and family member across the week.
The week kicked off on Monday with a special trip to London Zoo with 20 patients and their families – generously sponsored for the second year running by our friends from Downing LLP. Our families got to see lots of amazing animals as they explored the zoo, including three baby lion cubs and some very cute baby gorillas. We had a room hired for the day where our families could return for arts and crafts including animal mask masking and clay modelling as well as entertainment such as facepainting, magic and singing fairies. Lunch was a delicious mix of pizza, sliders and chips plus lots of yummy snacks. Huge thanks to the team at London Zoo for their amazing service and our friends at Downing LLP.
“I just wanted to say thank you for our wonderful day at London Zoo, with a special thank you to the magician and fairies who kept making sure Soph was OK. Soph has had a tough year and I can’t thank you guys enough for making her feel so special.” Angela, Mum to Sophie, aged 9
On the Tuesday, we spent the afternoon at Everyman Cinema in King’s Cross, with 18 patients along with their siblings and family members. Our families were treated to lots of snacks including popcorn and sweet treats whilst being entertained by our fantastic Spread a Smile fairies, magicians and singers. With full bellies, we settled down to watch the adorable film Inside Out 2. And to finish the day, our
families left with a brilliant goody bag. As always, a huge thanks to the team at Everyman Kings Cross for being so accommodating and welcoming our families with huge smiles and kindness.
“Thank you for such a lovely trip to the cinema and for accommodating Eva’s friend. Eva had a wonderful time, heart and belly full on leaving” Claire, Mum to Eva, aged 10.
For Hallowe’en, we took a trip to the beautiful Brunswick Art Gallery in Holborn, with 15 families joining us for a creative workshop with a professional artist whilst being serenaded by a live singer and DJ. The party was in full swing as our guests enjoyed a delicious lunch, cupcakes and sweet treats. They were also able to paint their own pumpkins, have their face painted, enjoy some magic tricks, take part in a Hallowe’en scavenger hunt and design their own tote bag – perfect to carry home all their goodies! A huge thank you to Nicholas Lazari and John Themis from Lazari Investments for helping to make this wonderful event possible.
To round off the week, we spent a wonderful ‘Creative Hospital Play Day’ at LEGO London Hub in London. We were joined by 13 patients and their families, alongside Jenny and Catherine – Health Play Specialists from our NHS hospital partners for loads of fun LEGO building activities including the 6 brick challenge and building a LEGO hospital.
Jenny and Catherine ran a wonderful Teddy Bears Clinic during which families could explore lots of creative hospital play with their teddies. There was also syringe painting and a chance to make x-ray pictures using cotton buds and white paint. Families also enjoyed some delicious snacks, plus magic from one of our amazing Spread a Smile entertainers!
“Thank you very much for organising another fun day at Lego HQ. Toomas had an amazing time (thank you very much for the bunnies!) and really enjoyed all the activities. My son was very impressed with Nick, the magician, and has been practising magic tricks all weekend.” Mum, Johanna
A huge shout out to Ellie and Gary from our Family Events team for organising such a range of brilliant events and activities for the families we support. Events such as these might be the only chance for our families to spend time together away from the stress and worry of hospital stays and treatment plans and we are proud to have spread so many times during the half-term period.
To find out more about our Family Events, how you can support them or sign up to join one, please click here.
