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Susie

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.

Summer Party 2025: What an amazing day

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On Thursday 24 July, Spread a Smile once again hosted our wonderful Summer Party, this year sponsored by our friends from BC Partners and held at Coram’s Fields in London.

It was an incredible day, filled with fun, joy and laughter and we welcomed 751 children, young people and family members supported by Spread a Smile, along and colleagues from our NHS hospital partners for a day full of exciting activities, performances and treats. To ensure that our VIP guests felt as comfortable and as special as possible, the day consisted of a morning and an afternoon party, enabling us to share the fun with even more of the families we support.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the effort and hard work that obviously went in to arranging the Summer Party today. We had an absolutely wonderful time and are incredibly grateful to have been able to join you. There were such fantastic activities to get stuck into. Thank you for all that you do and for finding such brilliant ways to spread a smile!” Tasha and Darcey

The Spread a Smile team once again went all out to put on our best party yet, with over 150 brilliant volunteers giving up their time to help run a range of different stalls and activities including arts and crafts, face painting, glitter tattoos, a sensory area, mini golf, animal petting with Anna’s Animals, and a pop-up arcade. Our friends at the LEGO Group brought plenty of LEGO for the children to make their own creations, and Hasbro also brought their team and an interactive games and Play-Doh station. Guests also enjoyed making their own gorgeous flower crowns with Freddie’s Flowers, and there were plenty of delicious treats on the go from our friends from Pan-n-Ice, Mildreds, Lola’s Cupcakes and the Wandering Pizza Company.

As always, Spread a Smile’s incredible team of entertainers filled the day with music, singing, dancing, bubbles, magic, poetry and so much more. Our therapy dogs Harry and Thomas, along with owners Tara and Olivia, were also there to join in the fun, meeting lots of new and familiar friends, including Mickey and Minne Mouse, Stitch, Spiderman, Elsa, Mummy Pig and the new baby Evie.

“Thank you for hosting the most incredible Summer Party. We’ve left with our hearts full and bubba has the biggest smile on her face. She was so excited to share her day with her grandparents when we got home. I haven’t seen her this excited in a while. You guys are real life superheroes!” Mum, Kheelna

We are extremely proud to be able to deliver such special days out for seriously ill children and their families to enjoy. The Summer Party is always full of so much happiness and joy, and a wonderful opportunity for our guests to relax and unwind and enjoy seeing their children have a fantastic and stress-free day out.

“Thank you, Spread a Smile for a wonderful morning. You are all truly incredible! We feel so lucky to be supported by you and for the smiles you are forever giving Polly.” Mum, Lauren

We are extremely grateful to all our wonderful volunteers for giving up their time to make the day possible. A special thanks to our friends from BC Partners for sponsoring the event and Children with Cancer UK for their ongoing support. Also, to the brilliant companies and supporters who donated supplies, gifts, food and drink to help us provide the best experience possible: Child’s Farm, Coconut Lane, Derwent Art, Goppus, Hasbro, Keel Toys, Kidjo, Putt Party, Super Sparrow, Swizzels and YETI.

“I just wanted to say thank you for having us as volunteers at today’s party, I thought both went amazingly and not even the rain could have dampened the vibes and how much the families were enjoying themselves, it was truly such a joy to have been able to soak it all up. You guys make such positive impact and every family I spoke to were hugely complimentary about the work spread a smile do.”

Thank you as always to the Spread a Smile team and all our amazing families for joining us and making our Summer Party 2025 a triumph – we can’t wait for the next one.

To help ensure we can continue to spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people, please donate here. Thank you.

 

 

Watch our Spread a Smile Summer Party 2025 film here…

Cosmic Partnership spreads smiles to St Mary’s

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Spread a Smile is proud to partner with 39 NHS hospitals, including St Mary’s Hospital, in Paddington, with our entertainers making regular, monthly visits to young patients on the wards, bringing joy, laughter, magic and more.

From July 2025, we are delighted to partner with the charity, Cosmic, which supports children and babies in the intensive care units at St Mary’s, to expand the number of visits that Spread a Smile entertainers make to St Mary’s. The partnership will enable us to increase our visits to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) from monthly to fortnightly.

Laura Walter, Spread a Smile’s Director of Services said, “We enjoy a wonderful relationship with the team at St Mary’s Hospital, and our entertainers – from magicians, to fairies, singers, therapy dogs, poets and more – love visiting children on the wards. Thanks to Cosmic’s support, we’ll be able to regularly reach even more seriously ill children, making lasting connections and being a constant in hospital during what can be a very difficult time.

“Alongside the visits, we’ll be organising quarterly Pamper Days for parents and carers with children in the hospital, providing much needed opportunities for self-care, respite and calm in the busy hospital environment. We’re extremely grateful to Cosmic for helping us to bring even more Spread a Smile distraction and fun to the hospital environment.”

Cosmic Chief Executive, Susannah Forland, said: “We are proud to partner with Spread a Smile to bring moments of joy and relief to sick children and their families during the toughest of times. The talented entertainers really help to lift everyone’s mood during their bedside visits in PICU. Together we can reach more families and support them with compassion, care and a little magic when it’s needed most.”

A huge thank you to the team at Cosmic for their support and for helping to spread smiles.

LEGO build for Gala Dinner

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We were delighted to welcome 14 young people, their siblings and families to Spread a Smile HQ for a very special LEGO® build.

Using a range of amazing LEGO® sets generously donated by the LEGO Group, everyone took on the challenge of completing a set to be displayed as a centrepiece for one of the tables at our Gala Dinner at Corinthia London in May 2025.

It was such a fun day with loads of LEGO® fun, face painting, magic, pizza, treats and lots of smiles. Watch our film from the day below!

A huge thank you to the LEGO Group for their ongoing support and to all of our families and volunteers for helping put together such a wonderful day.

To find out more about supporting our work to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and their families, please email us at admin@spreadasmile.org

June 2025 e-newsletter

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Our June 2025 supporter newsletter is here!

Take a look for all the latest from Spread a Smile including…

  • Celebrating International Day of Play
  • Meet Mum Tarien, and read how our Parent Pamper Day supported her
  • Our first in-person visit to Nottingham Children’s Hospital
  • More on our recent Family Events
  • A special Memorial Ceremony with Clarksons
  • Meet our entertainers – JUDGE the POET
  • The Corinthia London fundraising walk
  • Golf Days in support of Spread a Smile
  • Meet Carly – our superstar fundraiser
  • LMAC Group Football Tournament

We hope you enjoy reading our latest newsletter and if you’re not already receiving it, you can sign up here.

Corporate fundraising golf day

Canary Wharf Contractors Fund Golf Day

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A highly anticipated event in the Spread a Smile calendar, the Canary Wharf Contractors Golf Day took place on Friday 20 June at the prestigious London Golf Club.

The tournament successfully brought together 200 golfers, including notable personalities such as former England football players Ray Parlour, Jamie O’Hara, and Neil Ruddock.

In true Spread a Smile style, our team were there to join in the fun, and the event featured a touch of magic, with our professional magicians entertaining players across the course. Their impressive tricks and illusions not only provided entertainment throughout the tournament but also offered attendees a direct insight into the unique service the charity provides for children in hospitals. These magical moments underscore the joy and distraction Spread a Smile aims to bring to seriously ill children facing challenging hospital stays.

The day culminated in a raffle and live auction, expertly hosted by presenter Pete Graves and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who joined in on the day for helping to raise vital funds to spread joy and laughter to seriously ill children in hospital.

Our thanks to Alec, Dan, and the entire team at Canary Wharf Contractors Fund for their brilliant support and for inviting us to be part of this special event.

Feeling inspired? Find out more about taking part in the Spread a Smile Golf Days, sponsored by Canary Wharf Contractors Fund on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 September 2025.

In-person visit to Nottingham

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The Spread a Smile team recently brought joy to NHS partner, Nottingham Children’s Hospital with the first of our regular in-person visits to children on the wards

Spread a Smile has been supporting young patients at the hospital since 2021, spreading smiles through virtual sessions and seasonal activities such as treat drops. We’re delighted to be expanding our support to include monthly in-person visits by our talented team of entertainers, ensuring we can reach even more seriously ill children and young people when they need it most.

Spending time in hospital can be really challenging for children, especially when they’re missing school, friends, family and their usual activities. That’s why our entertainer visits are so important – providing laughter and entertainment, plus opportunities to build relationships and connections with others. Fairy Becca and Judge the Poet spent the day meeting patients, sharing songs poetry and chats and bringing the usual Spread a Smile sparkle across the wards.

Spread a Smile also recently donated one of our special libraries, full of books suitable for all ages and abilities for families with children on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) to borrow and enjoy The donated is part of our Intensive Care Library Project which has seen us deliver libraries to 14 NHS hospital partners across the country, helping to provide meaningful distraction and engagement to families with seriously ill children.

To stay up to date with all the things Spread a Smile, please sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.

Alternatively, if you’d like to support our visits, you can make a monthly donation here.

Football with LMAC Group

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On a glorious day of sunshine, smiles, and sporting spirit, Spread a Smile was thrilled to join LMAC Group’s annual Football Day, a highlight in our summer calendar and a wonderful show of generosity and community.

This year’s much-anticipated 6-a-side tournament brought together 11 teams, all competing in good spirits and high energy for the top spot and congratulations to TW1 Boxing, who emerged victorious.

Beyond the football, the day was full of entertainment and joy, with Spread a Smile’s Tasha and Rimi joining in the fun, and magician Richard Jones added a sprinkle of magic for guests. The atmosphere was further lifted by the brilliant DJ Tony Nicholls, who kept the tunes flowing and spirits high.

Events like go a long way to help fund our hospital visits and entertainment services, helping to brighten some of the toughest days for those we support. A heartfelt thanks to Lee McDowell and our friends from LMAC Group for their brilliant and continued support. Plus, to everyone who joined on the day and took part in the raffle and auction, helping to raise vital funds to spread more smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

Want to Get Involved?
We’d love for you to be part of more events like this! Whether you’re interested in fundraising, volunteering, or attending a future event, there are so many ways to help us spread more smiles when they are needed most.

???? Find out more about upcoming Spread a Smile events here.

Fundraiser focus: Meet Carly

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Our fundraisers are at the very heart of Spread a Smile, using their skills and talents to do something amazing to support seriously ill children and young people in hospital.

Carly is one of our superstar fundraisers, having supported the charity for a number of years along with her husband, Rob. We spoke to Carly about why she supports Spread a Smile and what it’s like to be part of Team Smile.

“We met spread a smile back in January 2018 when my eldest son Louis was in Great Ormand Street Hospital receiving treatment for Burkett lymphoma. They used to come in weekly with entertainers, characters and therapy dogs, not only lifting Louis’ spirits but the whole family’s as well. In a really hard time, Spread a Smile managed to make him and his younger brother smile, whilst the Spread a Smile team offered support to me and my husband.  

“We feel so thankful to Spread a Smile and we have always tried to support them where we can. In 2025 I’ve taken part in 2 marathons to raise money to help spread smiles to other young people. I was lucky enough to get a ballot place for the London Marathon and then completed the Edinburgh Marathon 28 days later.

“I’d already ran the London Marathon for Spread a Smile in 2024, asking for sponsorship, so this year we organised a quiz night instead to mix things up a bit. We had a raffle and few games, and it was a really good event enjoyed by family and friends. It was a great way to raise money in a different way to the year before. We raised just over £2,100 which my husband’s company match funded, so Spread a Smile received just over £4,200 which was wonderful.

“The Spread a Smile team is absolutely amazing. They would check in to see how things were going and if there was anything they could help with, and it really makes a difference. Having seen first-hand what a difference they make to the children they support is a massive motivation.  

 “If you’re thinking of fundraising for Spread a Smile, definitely do it! Spread a Smile is the most amazing charity, run by the most incredibly people, who are so grateful for all the support they are given.”

Thank you Carly and Rob for all you do to support Spread a Smile. We are so grateful to you and all of our amazing fundraisers. If you’d like to find out more about our upcoming fundraising events and challenges, please click here. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Team Smile.