Thanks to the incredible kindness and generosity of our supporters, the Spread a Smile Appeal has so far raised an amazing £201,514.
Over five days, so many people came together to support our appeal – becoming Appeal Champions, fundraising, donating and sharing our message. Every contribution, no matter the size, has helped us reach this incredible total and will make a lasting difference to the seriously ill children, young people and families we support.
Every year, tens of thousands of seriously ill children spend months on hospital wards, cut off from the ordinary joys of childhood. No play dates. No school trips. No sense of normality. Just clinical routines, uncertainty, and fear.
The incredible amount raised through the appeal will help make sure our entertainers can continue to bring personalised, joyful experiences directly to children’s bedsides in NHS hospitals and hospices. It will enable to us provide a familiar, joyful presence at one of the most frightening times of a child’s life, through:
In-person hospital visits
Our talented entertainers, including musicians, magicians, artists, fairies and therapy dogs, will visit children across 39 NHS hospital and six hospice partners, helping to reduce anxiety, combat isolation and create moments of joy during treatment.
Virtual services
Families will be able to access a range of individual and group entertainer sessions online from in hospital or at home, including music, magic, storytelling, arts and crafts and more.
Art initiatives
Our art programmes encourage children going through the unimaginable to express themselves through art and play, providing welcome distraction, and helping to build confidence. We will also continue to support children receiving radiotherapy treatment through bespoke painting of radiotherapy masks.
Family events and outings
From trips to the theatre, brunches and afternoon teas, to our much-loved Summer and Winter Parties, our calendar of exciting family events provide opportunities for seriously ill children to spend precious time with their families, having fun together and make lasting memories beyond hospital walls.
Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive of Spread a Smile, said:
“We have been completely blown away by the kindness and generosity shown throughout the appeal. To know that so many people chose to support our work means more to us than we can say.
“Thanks to you, we will be able to spread so many smiles to seriously ill children and young people in hospital, bringing joy, laughter and connection to them and their families through some of their toughest days.”
To everyone who supported the Spread a Smile Appeal, thank you for believing in our work and helping us continue to spread smiles where they’re needed most. We look forward to sharing the difference your support will make throughout the coming year and please sign up to our e-newsletter to stay up to date with our work, the difference we are making and how you or your company can get involved.
