We are so excited to announce that Spread a Smile has been named in The Big Issue’s Top 100 Changemakers of 2026.
We’re honoured to be recognised for our vital work bringing moments of joy and laughter to seriously ill children in NHS hospitals and hospices across the country. This recognition means so much to our entire team and highlights the importance of our work, as we continue to grow as a charity and spread more smiles to seriously ill children and their families in the years to come.
In 2024–25, our team delivered 13,200 bedside visits across 39 NHS hospitals – from magicians and musicians to artists and therapy dogs. These moments of joy provide comfort, positivity and hope for children and families navigating incredibly difficult times. We see first-hand the impact that a smile can have in a clinical environment, and we’re committed to reaching even more young people in the years ahead.
A huge thank you to our Ambassador, Suzi Ruffell, for nominating us and for everything she does to support our work. Suzi has supported Spread a Smile since 2022, after seeing the difference our entertainers made to a close family friend’s daughter during her treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Since then, Suzi’s support has been vital – from curating and hosting our annual Comedy Night at The Comedy Store to our biennial Gala dinners, to joining our volunteers to pack festive Smile Hampers at Christmas. We are incredibly grateful for her commitment to helping us bring more joy to seriously ill children.
Read more in The Big Issue’s Changemakers 2026 feature here.
If you or your business would like to support our work, donate here or explore partnership opportunities by emailing Head of Corporate Partnerships, Lucy Chesney at lucychesney@spreadasmile.org.
