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Susie

Josephine Segal: Co-Founder and Lifetime President

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Co-Founder, Josephine Segal MBE became Spread a Smile’s Lifetime President in September 2025, after stepping back from her role on the Board and from her regular day-to-day involvement. This honorary role celebrates Josephine’s extraordinary contribution to Spread a Smile and ensures she will always remain part of our story, continuing to be a cherished presence.

Spread a Smile was founded out of Josephine’s deeply personal response to her nephew Aaron’s illness. Together with Co-Founder Vanessa Crocker MBE, she transformed that experience into something remarkable – a charity that now brings laughter, joy and comfort to thousands of seriously ill children and their families each year. The values Josephine and Vanessa set from the very beginning – compassion, professionalism, respect, empathy and warmth – remain at the heart of everything we do.

Right up until her retirement, Josephine, along with her therapy dog, Buddy, regularly joined our team of entertainers on visits to seriously ill children in hospital, helping to spread smiles and joy.

We are incredibly grateful for all that Josephine has given – her love, her heart and her vision. Spread a Smile simply would not be what it is today without her.

“Spread a Smile will forever be in my heart and I look forward to following its journey with pride. I want to thank my darling nephew Aaron, his brothers and family who inspired Spread a Smile, my Co-Founder Vanessa, family, friends, Trustees, team, entertainers, volunteers, supporters, hospital partners and most importantly the children and families who welcomed us into their lives during such difficult times.” Josephine Segal MBE

Find out more about how Josephine and Vanessa started Spread a Smile back in 2013 here.

Golf Days at Woburn Golf Club success

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Last week, we hosted our hugely successful annual Golf Days, at the prestigious Woburn Golf Club.

Sponsored by Canary Wharf Contractors Fund and held over two days, the event welcomed 43 teams for two fantastic days of golf on the beautiful Duke’s Course, ranked in Golf Monthly Magazines top 100 courses in the UK.

With the sun shining on both days, our golfers enjoyed playing the 18-holes – accompanied by entertainment around the course from Spread a Smile musicians and magicians and snacks and drinks delivered by the team – before returning to the club house for a delicious meal followed by prize giving, a raffle and auction.

Spread a Smile’s Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson, spoke to guests about the charity’s work bringing joy to seriously ill children and their families, highlighting how our guests were enabling us to spread even more smiles when they are needed most.

The Spread a Smile Golf Days are a highlight in our events calendar, welcoming companies and individuals to a fun day out. It was fantastic to welcome so many friends old and new, including former England Rugby Union Captain, Dylan Hartley. Thanks to our guests’ generous support, over £87,000 was raised across the events – an incredible amount which will help ensure we can spread many more smiles when they are needed most.

Congratulations to the winning teams – Constellia (Thursday) and Edward Hikmet, Daniel Barlow, Justin Smith and Paul Futcher (Friday). Plus everyone who took home individual prizes.

Thank you to Canary Wharf Contractors Fund for generously sponsoring the event. Also to all of our teams, our volunteers from Blackrock and our event sponsors: Opticore IT, MP Moran, Redstor, Ask Partners, GRE Finance, and Newmark.

Don’t miss out on our next event! Why not join us for our Comedy Night on Monday 17 November at The Comedy Store, London or our entertainer Variety Show at The Camden Club on Thursday 23 October?

Honouring our Co-Founder, Josephine Segal

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Our Co-Founder and Trustee, Josephine Segal, has decided to step back from her role on the Board of Spread a Smile and from her regular day-to-day involvement in the charity. While this has been a difficult decision for Josephine, it is one that comes with confidence in the strength of Spread a Smile today and optimism for its future.

Spread a Smile was founded out of Josephine’s deeply personal response to her nephew Aaron’s illness. Together with Co-Founder Vanessa Crocker, she transformed that experience into something remarkable – a charity that now brings laughter, joy and comfort to thousands of seriously ill children and their families each year. The values Josephine and Vanessa set from the very beginning – compassion, professionalism, respect, empathy and warmth – remain at the heart of everything we do.

Josephine herself reflects: “What began as a deeply personal response to my nephew Aaron’s illness has grown into something truly remarkable. Spread a Smile will forever be in my heart and I look forward to following its journey with pride. As I step away after 13 years, I want to thank my darling nephew Aaron, his brothers and family who inspired Spread a Smile, my Co-Founder Vanessa, family, friends, Trustees, team, entertainers, volunteers, supporters, hospital partners and most importantly the children and families who welcomed us into their lives during such difficult times.”

From 30 September, Josephine will take on the honorary role of Lifetime President of Spread a Smile, a title that celebrates her extraordinary contribution and ensures she will always remain part of our story. Although she will no longer hold formal responsibility as a Trustee, Josephine will continue to be a cherished presence, following our journey with pride and love.

Vanessa will remain closely involved as Co-Founder and Trustee, continuing to bring her passion and vision. Josephine’s husband, Richard Segal, will also continue as a valued Trustee, helping guide the charity forward.

We are incredibly grateful for all that Josephine has given – her love, her heart and her vision. Spread a Smile simply would not be what it is today without her. Though we will miss her daily presence, we step forward with optimism, inspired by the legacy she leaves and the bright future ahead.

Donate a prize for our Christmas Auction

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This Christmas, we’re aiming to spread as many smiles as possible to seriously ill children and their siblings and to do that, we need your help.

In November we’ll be launching our exclusive Silent Auction and Raffle and we’re looking for prize donations, from gift hampers, to restaurant vouchers, memorabilia, jewellery, event tickets and more.

Every prize, no matter the size will help us spread joy and laughter this festive season, through our Smile Hampers, packed full of gifts and sent directly to the children we support, to entertainer hospital visits, treat drops and so much more.

If you or your company are able to donate a prize, we’d love to hear from you. Please email Tasha Mann at tashamann@spreadasmile.org to get the ball rolling.

Thank you.

Inaugural Insurance Dinner spreads smiles

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Last week, we held our inaugural Spread a Smile Insurance dinner, bringing together leading professionals from across the insurance sector for an enjoyable and engaging evening of networking.

Held at the beautiful Ham Yard Hotel in Soho, London, guests enjoyed time to catch-up over drinks and canapes before sitting down for a delicious meal together.

The evening was an opportunity to share more about the work of Spread a Smile, with our Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson, speaking about the work of the charity and the important and unique role our corporate supporters play in helping to spread smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

Spread a Smile entertainer and magician, Sacha, was also on hand to showcase our work, sharing magic with guests and an insight into how our entertainers bring joy to all those they meet.

Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive at Spread a Smile, said “We are extremely grateful to everyone who joined us for our first Insurance Dinner and generously supported our work on the night. Particular thanks go to Richard Reggel and Phil Smaje for all their hard work making this wonderful event possible and enabling us to meet and connect with so many new people.”

The Insurance Committee was launched in September 2025 to explore new avenues for raising funds and awareness. To find out more about the Committee or how your company could get involved with supporting Spread a Smile, please get in touch with our Head of Partnerships, Lucy Chesney at lucychesney@spreadasmile.org.

Farewell and thank you to Louise Jacobs

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We are saying a heartfelt thank you and fond farewell to our wonderful trustee, Louise Jacobs, who has stepped down from the Board after 8 incredible years of service.

Louise joined Spread a Smile in July 2017, bringing with her a wealth of experience from the charity and corporate sectors, alongside a deep passion for improving the lives of children and families. Her commitment, energy and insight have been invaluable as we’ve grown and evolved as a charity.

During her time as a trustee, Louise helped guide us through a period of significant transformation, including the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the expansion of our hospital partnerships, and the development of our new strategy. She has been a thoughtful, generous and compassionate presence on our Board, always keeping the children and young people we support at the heart of every decision.

Louise said, “I have been inspired every day by the dedication of the team and the joy they bring to children and families facing unimaginably difficult times. It has been a privilege to play a small part in helping to grow this remarkable charity and I will continue to champion its work wherever I can.”

Louise brought warmth, wisdom, experience and a great sense of humour to the boardroom, and a genuine belief in the power of joy and human connection, values that are at the very core of Spread a Smile.

Paul Godfrey, Chair of Trustees, said: “Louise has been a truly outstanding trustee: insightful, committed, and always guided by compassion. Her contributions have shaped key moments in our charity’s journey and her voice has been one of strength and kindness throughout. On behalf of the Board and the whole Spread a Smile family, I want to thank her sincerely for everything she’s given us.”

While we will miss Louise’s leadership and presence on the Board, she will always remain a cherished member of the Spread a Smile family and we look forward to welcoming her back to support our family events and hospital visits.

From all of us – staff, fellow trustees, entertainers, volunteers and families – thank you, Louise, for helping us to spread so many smiles over the past 8 years.

To find out more about our Board of Trustees, please take a look here.

Spread a Smile becomes BizzFest charity partner

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We are delighted to announce that Spread a Smile has been chosen as a charity partner for BizzFest, an exciting new business festival which will take place on 18 September at Cressing Temple Barns, Essex.

Created by a team of five founders, BizzFest will bring together world-class speakers, powerful networking, and festival vibes, all in one unforgettable day designed to inspire and propel business growth for founders and teams. The inaugural event features a daytime conference with speakers covering topics from AI to motivation, followed by a lively evening festival with three music and performance stages.

Shaun Pledger, Co-Founder of BizzFest said, “At BizzFest, we believe that business is about more than just growth. It’s about impact. Partnering with Spread a Smile is our way of shining a light on a charity that does extraordinary work for children and families at the toughest times of their lives. We’re inspired by how they not only bring joy to young patients, but also create meaningful, bespoke partnerships with businesses. Supporting them feels like a perfect fit for BizzFest, and we’re proud to help spread more smiles together.”

The partnership with Spread a Smile will offer the charity a brilliant opportunity to introduce our work to a new business-led audience, raising awareness and funds to enable us to spread even more smiles and bring joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families when it’s needed most.

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive said, “We’re extremely grateful to Bizzfest for inviting us to be part of this wonderful event and are looking forward to meeting as many guests and attendees as possible. It’s a great opportunity for us to reach new audiences, showcase what we do as a charity and share how we bring a unique and engaging approach to the partnerships we develop. We’re excited to be working with BizzFest to bring Spread a Smile to the stage and show how we can help businesses to achieve their Corporate Social Responsibility goals in an inspirational way, making a meaningful impact for the families we support.”

BizzFest isn’t just another business event. It’s where entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders come together to learn, connect, and grow, in a setting that’s as exciting as it is inspiring. Although first release tickets to the event are now sold out, there is still a chance to secure a spot for your business here.

To find out more about how your company can support Spread a Smile, please visit our partnerships page here or reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Lucy Chesney, by emailing lucy.chesney@spreadasmile.org

Win two VIP tickets to see Oasis at Wembley

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Bid in our exclusive silent auction to win two premium hospitality tickets to see Oasis at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 3 August 2025.

This is your chance to enjoy Oasis’ sold out come back show in true VIP style with the prize including:

  • Two premium hospitality tickets, with access from the Pitch View Restaurant East
  • Access to a luxury buffet featuring gourmet selections
  • A wide choice of complimentary beers, wines, and soft drinks
  • Panoramic views of the iconic Stadium from the comfort of the lounge
  • Direct access to your reserved terrace seats just outside the lounge.

So what are you waiting for? The auction closes at 3pm on Friday 1 August and 100% of the monies raised will go to support our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and young people.

Place your bid here!

Thank you to Rob Levene for donating this wonderful prize.
Terms and conditions apply. (Travel to and from the concert is not included).

Welcome new Trustee: Dr Sanjiv Patel

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We are delighted to welcome Dr Sanjiv Patel, CEO of Westgate Healthcare to the Spread a Smile Board of Trustees.

Sanjiv has spent two decades working in the NHS, with a clinical background as a Consultant Anaesthetist at UCLH and has supported Spread a Smile for a number of years as part of our Medical Committee.

Sanjiv currently serves as a Trustee of both Spread a Smile and Noah’s Ark Hospice, bringing a unique blend of clinical insight and commercial acumen to the charitable sector. He said: “It’s an honour to join the Spread a Smile Board of Trustees and I hope to utilise my dual perspective to support Spread a Smile’s mission to enhance the experience and wellbeing of children undergoing serious medical treatment. I am a passionate advocate for integrating emotional and psychosocial support into healthcare delivery and I believe strongly in the vital role charities play in bridging gaps across the health and care system. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to play as a Trustee to support this brilliant charity’s mission.”

Sanjiv has built a career that bridges medical practice with strategic leadership in the social care and health sectors, most recently with Westgate Healthcare, a growing care group delivering residential, nursing, dementia, and rehabilitation services across London and the home counties. Under his leadership, Westgate Healthcare has grown significantly, now operating ten care homes with over 600 beds and further developments underway. He has also spearheaded diversification into the hospitality sector, reflecting his interest in innovation, enhancing care environments, and sustainable growth.

Sanjiv was elected as one of the youngest board members of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, where he led impactful projects focused on improving training and education for junior doctors. He has also contributed to public health awareness as a medical advisor on Channel 4’s You Are What You Eat.

Meet the Spread a Smile Board of Trustees here.

Spreading smiles: International Day of Friendship

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For International Friendship Day on 30 July, we’re celebrating the role Spread a Smile plays in supporting seriously ill children and their families to build friendships and enjoy wonderful days out together.

Mums, Louise and Kathryn shared how their children Dottie and Kaiden met and how Spread a Smile’s virtual sessions and events provide an opportunity for them to meet up and have fun.

“Dottie and Kaiden met through ‘Ravi’s Dream Team’, a choir formed for Britain’s Got Talent by 8-year old Ravi, who like Dottie and Kaiden has a brain tumour. When they met, Dottie and Kaiden just hit it off, understanding each other with their naughty brains! Us Mums did too and then the Dads met along with the rest of the siblings and things went from there. We were spending every weekend together for months for rehearsals and would chat on the phone nearly every day about life and the daily struggles we have with our brain tumour journeys.

“Dottie and Kaiden would chat on the phone too and organise to join Spread a Smile’s amazing weekly virtual sessions. As they knew different singers and magicians, they would always have something extra to talk about and would love catching up on the sessions, what they had planned and any exciting packs that the charity had sent out in advance for the sessions.

“We live few hours apart and when the Spread a Smile events come up, it’s a perfect excuse to all meet up together and have a brilliantly fun das out. Their events really do put a smile on our faces. Even going through what we’re going through, Spread a Smile helps us put that aside and forget all about it for a day. We’re able to just have fun and make unbelievable memories together as families. And that is so wonderful for all of us. Spread a Smile helps us to find time and space to just be ourselves and do things together like other families, and that means the world.”

Find out more about our work here.