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Susie

Liam Conlon MP joins Spread a Smile hospital visit

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Liam Conlon, the MP for Beckenham and Penge, joined Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile CEO, on a visit to King’s College Hospital yesterday (Wednesday 23rd April), where he met some of the children and families that Spread a Smile support and saw their work first-hand.

Spread a Smile works in partnership with the Play Team at King’s College Hospital to spread smiles, bring joy, entertainment, and moments of respite. During the visit, Mr Conlon met with young patients, their families, and NHS staff, and witnessed first-hand the powerful impact of the charity’s in-hospital entertainers. On the day we were joined by Collette, a Spread a Smile singer, and Nick, a magician.

Mr Conlon’s visit was particularly poignant given his personal connection to the NHS. As a teenager, he spent several years undergoing treatment at the Royal London Hospital and Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital following a serious accident at age 13.

While it is not the hospital where Liam was treated, King’s College Hospital treats hundreds of his constituents in Beckenham and Penge every year. Mr Conlon said the experience of visiting another children’s ward was “important to him.”

He said, “Today’s visit was very special to me because it is personal. I spent years growing up on NHS children’s wards as a teenager after an accident at 13, and I owe so much to the NHS. And whilst children’s wards are in some ways a grim reality, they are also places of great hope, deep compassion, and world-class care. That is made possible by NHS staff and the people behind incredible initiatives like Spread a Smile which will make such a difference to children and their families.”

“I’m so grateful to the Spread a Smile team and the staff at King’s for the incredible work they do every single day.”

Spread a Smile currently partners with 39 NHS hospitals and six hospices across the UK, delivering in-person and virtual entertainment. Their partnership with King’s started in January 2020 and we currently make three visits a month to the hospital and have plans to increase this in the coming months.

A huge thank you to Mr Conlan for joining us on the visit and to all the team at Kings College Hospital for their support. Find out more about Spread a Smile’s work here.

Easter tea party at Corinthia London

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To kick off the Easter holidays, 18 families joined us at the beautiful Corinthia London for a delicious Easter themed afternoon tea.

Upon arrival, the families were greeted with glittery welcome drinks in Spread a Smile colours before being shown to their tables to enjoy a tasty afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, cakes, hot chocolates and more.

In true Spread a Smile style there was entertainment from some of our magicians, singers and fairies, along with lots of Easter crafts and a scavenger hunt with the end prize of a personalised apron for each child to take home.

We are extremely grateful to our friends at Corinthia London for hosting us so beautifully and treating our guests like royalty. As one family told us,

“The afternoon tea was absolutely delicious and on another level. Thank you always so, so much for thinking of everything and being so kind to us all. We honestly had a fabulous time, and it was such a special treat to be able to take the kids (and us) to somewhere so luxurious. Thank you as always for the amazing magic, face painting and singing. Jacob and Kaitlin were in hysterics at the magician, and it was so funny to watch.” Love the Youens family.

Our family events and outings support young patients, their parents, carers and siblings and bring moments of respite, joyful experiences and enduring memories at the most challenging of times.

To find out more about our work and how you can get involved, please click here.

Amazing day at London Landmarks Half Marathon

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On Sunday, 6 April, 18 incredible runners took to the streets of London to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Spread a Smile. This was our largest team to date, fundraising over £13,000 to help bring joy and laughter to children in hospital.

The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a unique and scenic race that takes participants past some of the capital’s most iconic sites, including Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London. We loved cheering on our runners, who gave it their all, pushing through every mile with smiles on their faces,

Together, our team has raised an outstanding amount to help fund our vital work, spreading joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families when they need it most. This money will help us to continue providing in-person hospital visits, virtual sessions and memorable family events for the families we support during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

We are incredibly proud of all our runners – Becca, Erica, Suzy, Louise, Lily, Carlos, Ciara, Abbie, Flavia, Lauren, Paul, Conan, Kaleigh, Andrew, Jackie, Billy, Orla and Francesca – and can’t thank them enough for their hard work and commitment. A huge thank you to our team and to everyone who supported them along the way, whether by donating, cheering from the sidelines, or sending words of encouragement.

If you’re feeling inspired and would like to join Team Smile for the London Landmarks Half Marathon 2026, we’d love to have you aboard! Click here to register your interest, or contact Tasha Mann at tashamann@spreadasmile.org to find out more.

Together, we can continue to make a difference and spread smiles to seriously ill children when they need it most.

Lucy Jackson in conversation with Jo Elvin

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Spread a Smile is delighted to share a brilliant new film featuring our Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson, in conversation with Jo Elvin, former CEO of Children with Cancer UK. This inspiring film highlights the incredible impact Spread a Smile has on seriously ill children and their families, offering moments of joy and distraction during some of their most challenging times.

Through our dedicated team of entertainers, Spread a Smile brings joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families in hospices and hospitals across the country and through a programme of virtual sessions, art initiatives and family events. The film provides an insight into how our work transforms hospital stays and treatment experiences, making an immeasurable difference to the emotional well-being of children and their families.

A key theme of the discussion between Lucy and Jo is the valued partnership between Spread a Smile and Children with Cancer UK. This collaboration has helped Spread a Smile extend the reach of our services to even more young patients, ensuring that those undergoing cancer treatment receive the joy and support they need.

Lucy Jackson shared her thoughts on the film: “It’s a privilege to share Spread a Smile’s mission in this new film. Our work is all about bringing joy to children and families when they need it most, and we are so grateful to partners like Children with Cancer UK who help us to continue making a real difference.”

Take a look at the film below and thank you to our friends at Children with Cancer UK for their ongoing support and helping us to spread smiles when they are needed most.

Introducing our new Head of Fundraising

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Spread a Smile is delighted to welcome Krishan Solanki, our new Head of Fundraising to the team. We spoke to Krishan about his background in the charity sector and what he’s looking forward to most about being part of Team Smile. 

“I have worked in fundraising roles in the third sector for the past 12 years at two national disability charities, Scope and Muscular Dystrophy UK. I came into the sector through events fundraising, and prior to that, from working for agencies and governing bodies in the sports sector. During my time in the charity sector, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible fundraisers, build flagship events, campaigns, and corporate partnersand look to forward to applying my experience to help grow fundraising at Spread a Smile. 

“As a sibling to someone who received a diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy as a toddler, I spent a lot of time in hospitals and at appointments with them growing up. Spread a Smile didn’t exist when we were younger, but it’s clear what a difference it would’ve made to us as a family if it had. As soon as I heard about the charity, I felt instantly connected to the cause. Remembering those times in hospital, it would’ve been brilliant to have met the team on their visits, to be cheered up and distracted from the clinical setting, medical procedures and discussions, and subsequently to be able to connect more positively to the experiences during those times. 

“What Spread a Smile does is really special and I can’t wait to get stuck in and meet everyone connected to the cause. I’m really looking forward to driving and continuing to grow our fundraising offering, so we can bring even more joy to more people’s lives. 

“Everyone I’ve met so far at Spread a Smile have been so welcoming. It’s a fun group of people with lots of positive energy pushing the charity forward and I feel right at home. I’m keen to meet as many of our supporters as possible and am open to being approached, so please do reach out at any time to chat about how you or your company can get involved with this wonderful charity. My inbox (krishan@spreadasmile.org) is always open.” 

If you are interested in working with Spread a Smile, please take a look at our current open job roles here. 

Meet Cara and new therapy Dog, Scout

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We’re delighted to welcome Cara and Scout to the Spread a Smile team.

Scout is a 5-year-old female cockapoo and our newest recruit to our team of therapy dogs, making regular visits to children in hospital with owner, Cara. Cara told us a little bit more about Scout and her journey to becoming a therapy dog with Spread a Smile.

“Scout is very intelligent and lots of fun, but most importantly a friendly, calm dog. I think she makes a great therapy dog as she absolutely adores people and loves getting cuddles – she can never have too many! She’d make an absolutely terrible guard dog, though. 

“I’m a children’s writer and spend a lot of time visiting schools with Scout to read my stories. Scout has also been working as a registered ‘Pets as Therapy’ dog for 3 years, going into a local primary school to read with the children. A few people mentioned to me what an asset she would be as a hospital dog, so this is something I started considering. In addition, I am a mum of three girls, including one who was sadly stillborn, I feel a real affinity with parents who are going through very difficult times. When I read about Spread a Smile in a magazine, I realised it would be the perfect organisation for us to get involved with.”

“To become a therapy dog, Scout was assessed by Pets as Therapy in 2022 and she passed with flying colours. Since joining the Spread a Smile team, we’ve been in to visit children and young people in hospital, and it’s been a great first introduction to the charity and the important work they do. We met some children in the playroom first, and then went to individual beds on the ward. The children and their parents were really happy to see Scout and she brought a lot of smiles to their faces.

“Even though it was a very different to her usual surroundings, Scout was perfectly comfortable in hospital and took all the strange equipment, busy corridors and noises in her stride. It was lovely seeing the children visibly relax in her presence and enjoy a moment of calm between medical procedures. I think Scout is always so insistent on attention and love, that she brings people out of their present worries and gives them something else to focus on, even just for a short time. She particularly loved having her fur brushed.

“Just like on my school visits, we always take time to introduce ourselves and take things very gently. Scout seems to know which side of her personality to bring out depending on the child – so sometimes she gives excited with tail-waggy greetings, and at other times she simply curls up for a quiet pat. When encouraged, Scout loves showing off a few of her tricks (only ‘sit’, ‘paw’ and ‘lie down’ – but she performs them very diligently!) and being given her favourite treat – cubes of mature cheddar cheese – as a reward.

“I have been able to bring copies of my rhyming picture book, Finding Floss, along with me on hospital visits and hand them out to children, along with stickers. This ties in perfectly with Scout’s visits, as the book is about a loveable cockapoo. Storytelling is something I have always been passionate about and most of my stories contain a huge dollop of silliness and absurdity – I love seeing children get the giggles, especially when they’ve been feeling sad or worried. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. 

“I am hoping to do some book readings and story sessions with Spread a Smile in the future. I have more books due to come out – more silly animal capers – so would love to read these too. 

“I’d heard about therapy dogs in hospitals, but hadn’t, until recently, heard of Spread a Smile. What is immediately impressive, is the sheer amount of hard work and organisation that goes in to coordinating the visits, and the amount of people that help to make it happen. I have also enjoyed meeting other Spread a Smile entertainers on my visits – from magicians, to singers, to balloon artists. They are all so talented and I’ve loved seeing children, from tiny babies to teenagers, light up in their presence. Both Scout and I are really looking forward to what lies ahead on our journey with Spread a Smile.”

Please donate to help ensure we can continue to fund our therapy dog visits for children and young people in hospital. Thank you.

Brothers take on Ultra Challenge

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Spread a Smile met Henry, aged 9, and his Mum and Dad, Vicky and James, when Henry was receiving treatment for a rare genetic disorder at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

James and his brother Tom are taking on the Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge in aid of Spread a Smile, which will see them walk or jog 106km walk around the island in May.

Vicky, James and Tom said, “Spread a Smile are a really incredible charity providing hospital visits to inpatients, video calls to children at home and special events in partnership with some wonderful companies.

“We’ve had some really dark moments but Spread a Smile have given us some brighter ones. As a family we have personally benefited from the work that they do, from fairies, singers, poets and magicians visiting Henry on the ward to video calls at home during Covid-19 and virtual birthday parties and Christmas boxes delivered by magical members of the team.

“One of the biggest things that we have been grateful for are the events that Spread a Smile organise. Including trips to the theatre to see The Lion king for the girls whilst Henry was in hospital, to days out to London Zoo and Henry’s personal favourite, the Lego events. Days to be with other families in similar situations to take time away from the appointments and treatments and to just smile!

“The other thing that we are always grateful for is how special they make siblings feel too. Siblings can be forgotten about and not everyone thinks about how having a poorly sibling can affect them. Spread a Smile always ensure that every child is thought about and the children never come away from these events empty handed.

“All of these things of course need funding and that’s why we’re fundraising to ensure that other families can be reached and more smiles can be spread.”

Thank you so much to James and Tom for their support and good luck for the challenge. Visit their JustGiving page here.

Please email Tasha at tashamann@spreadasmile.org to find out more about our upcoming fundraising challenges.

Director of Services takes on three peaks

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Our National Three Peaks Challenge will see our fundraisers trek around 26 miles, ascending a total height of almost 3,000m in two days and taking on the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales: Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) (1,085m).

Spread a Smile’s Director of Services, Laura Walter will be joining Team Smile for this incredible challenge from Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July 2025 . We spoke to Laura about why she’s signed up and what she’s most looking forward to.

“I love hiking and being outdoors, but I’ve never done anything like this before. I’m not a runner and really wanted to do a challenge to support Spread a Smile, so this one ticked the boxes for me. We’ve taken patients and their families up to the Lake District for the past few years for a residential trip, and it’s such a magical, restorative place, so I’m excited to go back there as well (even if it’s only for a few hours). I’m really looking forward to challenging myself both physically and mentally.

“I feel so fortunate to work for Spread a Smile and it’s really important to me to give back and show my support for our brilliant charity by raising funds to enable us to provide more services, and in particular, deliver more visits to our hospital partners.

“I truly believe in the work we do at Spread a Smile, and have first-hand insight into the positive impact the visits have on patients, their families, and healthcare professionals from my many years working as a play specialist in the NHS. Our entertainers really lift the entire mood for everyone (patients, families and staff), and help to provide that essential distraction that is so needed for children and young people facing painful and invasive treatments and procedures.

“Every step I take on the challenge will be for the children, young people and families Spread a Smile supports. This challenge isn’t just about climbing mountains, it’s about helping these children and their families to find moments of joy and respite during the toughest times. 

“It is such a privilege to be joining other supporters to raise funds which will help Spread a Smile continue to provide vital services. Whether it’s supporting a magician to spark amazement, an artist to fuel creativity, or a group session that facilitates connection and makes children feel less isolated, every donation will ensure that children facing serious illness, and their siblings get to experience moments of happiness and hope.

“I’ll be joined by Spread a Smile’s incredible aromatherapist, Priya, who is also doing the challenge, and we’re both really looking forward to spending time with some of our wonderful supporters and having the chance to share our experiences with them. It looks set to be an incredible trip and we really hope you’ll join us for the adventure.”

Join Laura and Priya for the National Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Spread a Smile and help bring joy and happiness to seriously ill children and young people when it’s needed most. SIGN UP HERE!

Option 1 – Self Funder

  • Pay £95 non-refundable registration fee
  • Pay £460 by Thursday 1 May
  • Raise as much as you can for Spread a Smile

Option 2 – Minimum Sponsorship

  • Pay £95 non-refundable registration fee
  • Raise a minimum of £950 for Spread a Smile

Full itinerary and details can be found here. Email us: fundraising@spreadasmile.org to find out more.

Micro Scooters make a ‘wheely’ big difference

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“The Micro Scooter gives my daughter a sense of ownership, independence and mobility. My child received a gift of a kidney from her mother in March 2023. In just 7 days she got moving around the ward and first thing she called out for was to bring her pink Micro Scooter from home, which she used to get around the ward.” Parent

Since 2021, Micro Scooters has generously been supporting Spread a Smile, donating an amazing 166 micro scooters, helmets and scooting accessories to support seriously ill children and their families.

Hospitalisation can be a very scary experience for children, often causing significant anxiety and distress. Play is an essential part of childhood and is at the very heart of mental, social and emotional growth and wellbeing. Prolonged and repeated hospitalisation, time at home or endless days feeling unwell significantly reduces opportunities for play, socialisation and physical movement.

Laura Walter, Spread a Smile Director of Services continued saying, “Physical activity is important for everyone, including children who are in hospital. Some patients can be in hospital for a long time, so it is important that they stay as active as possible during their stay. Scooting is a fantastic way to encourage them to take part in exercise that is fun, when they feel able to.”

The scooters have been used to help children get from one area of the hospital to another for treatment and also to support children’s rehabilitation by promoting physical activity and improving motor skills

One parent told us, “The scooter makes a huge difference to our son. He has a chronic lung condition, which means he struggles to walk any distance. He has a wheelchair which he can use, but he doesn’t like to be so different from his friends and other kids. When we travel into London for hospital appointments, we use a scooter as a much easier way for him to travel without exerting himself. The scooter is also easier for me to lift on and off the train. It makes a huge difference to his life and disability.”

We are so grateful for the fantastic support from Micro Scooters and are looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with them to spread even more smiles to even more children.

Partnerships such as this play a vital role in ensuring we can continue to be there for seriously ill children and their families when they need us most. Please do reach out with our Partnerships Manager, Lucy Keith by emailing lucykeith@spreadasmile.org to find out more about exciting partnership opportunities with Spread a Smile.

Queen’s Hospital partners with Spread a Smile

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Spread a Smile has announced a new partnership, with Queen’s Hospital in Romford, part of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. The charity will support children and young people receiving treatment at the hospital and they, along with their families, are invited to join the Spread a Smile family and benefit from its services.

Spread a Smile’s mission is to bring joy and laughter to as many seriously ill children as possible in NHS hospitals, clinical settings, hospices and homes across the UK. Queen’s Hospital joins 37 other major and speciality NHS hospitals, and six hospice partners already supported by the charity, taking Spread a Smile one step closer to its aim of spreading smiles to every seriously ill child and young person across the country.

The Spread a Smile team of talented entertainers, including musicians, artists, magicians and therapy dogs, will spend quality time with patients through regular in-person visits to the hospital. In addition, patients and their families will be able to access a range of its support services including virtual sessions, outings and events. All of which supports the charity’s aim of reaching and supporting as many young people as possible, spreading smiles and a lot of happiness to children undergoing treatment for serious illnesses and their families.

Caroline Jenkins, Health Play Specialist at Queen’s Hospital, said: “Having Spread a Smile visit us has really made such a difference to the children and young people at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, we are a busy district general hospital covering three very diverse areas. Spread a Smile’s visits are impactful brightening everyone’s day from the children and young people, their parents & carers and all the staff, the visits lift everyone’s mood. Thank you for all you do and we look forward to continuing to work with you helping you make an even greater impact in the future.”

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive added, “Spread a Smile’s aim is to bring joy and happiness into the lives of as many seriously ill children, young people and their families across the country as possible. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the brilliant team at Queen’s Hospital to deliver entertainment, laughter and bring the Spread a Smile magic to patients, families and staff alike.”

To find out more about what we do and how we support our hospital and hospice partners, click here.