Our entertainers – meet Collette
https://spreadasmile.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Untitled-design-1.png 780 400 Susie Susie https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df35034d6e0dc0a34b96e2cbd5d9df5b1604bbb302409c0dcb03b9fd2cadd967?s=96&d=mm&r=gSpread a Smile’s talented team of entertainers put the ‘smile’ in Spread a Smile and include musicians, singers, magicians, performers, artists, poets, balloon modellers and therapy dogs. Each one is incredibly skilled, able to use their talents to bring a little bit of joy to seriously ill children and their families during some of the most challenging times of their lives.
Collette has been with Spread a Smile since the charity was founded in 2013. Originally one of our entertainers, today Collette is a Visit
Manager, entertainer and a much loved and recognised member of the team, leading regular visits to our hospital and hospice partners and part of our 100-strong entertainer team.
Collette said, “I originally met Spread a Smile Co-Founder, Josephine, when I was performing at a gig for her husband’s birthday. She told me that she and her friend Vanessa were starting the charity and asked if I would come on board as a singer to help entertain children at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Naturally I jumped at the chance.
“In those early days, I was one of five entertainers who joined Josephine and Vanessa twice a month to visit children and young people receiving treatment at GOSH. Along with brilliant talents such as Mr Magic and Judge the Poet, we would bring music, singing, magic, poetry and fun onto the wards. The fact that all three of us still work for the charity to this day is a testament to the wonderful organisation that Josephine and Vanessa have created.
“At the time, there was nothing really like what Spread a Smile was offering to our hospital partners. We would receive so much positive feedback from patients, families and staff alike, telling us what a breath of fresh air we were and how we were helping to bring some light and happiness during some really difficult times for children on the wards. We all knew really early on how important Spread a Smile’s work was and it was easy to see how this drove Josephine and Vanessa on to grow the charity and reach even more young people in even more hospital settings.
“I have learnt so much working for Spread a Smile, as a person, singer and entertainer. To be able to use something I love to bring joy to others is huge and every day I feel grateful to have been given the opportunity to help make a difference. We work really hard to make sure our visits and interactions are tailored to each child’s needs. Our fairies bring so much joy to the younger children we meet for example and our team includes magicians that appeal to a range of ages. As a singer, I often receive wildly different requests for songs, from Disney to the latest Number 1, so it’s important to stay up to date with what’s out there and what’s popular. Talking about music is always a great conversation starter and it focuses in on the child straight away. It’s about what they like and want to hear and let’s them know that we are there just for them. The children are the ones making the decisions for a change which is really important when they are dealing with serious illness as a lot of autonomy around day-to-day life and childhood experiences can be lost.
“I am lucky to work with some incredibly talented entertainers (now friends) and every day I see the difference music, magic or distraction of any kind can make to a child in hospital. It can help to break up long hours and days of boredom in hospital or provide a much needed distraction from pain and the worries of illness and treatments. As entertainers, we are a friendly face when it’s needed most.
“Knowing that the children and also staff in hospital look forward to our visits means so much. Being a Spread a Smile entertainer is one of the most valuable things I will ever do, and I am proud to continue to be part of this wonderful charity.”
To find out more about our work, please click here.
Over the course of two days, you will trek around 26 miles and ascend to a total height of almost 3,000m. This is a serious and tough challenge which requires a good level of fitness, as well as plenty of grit and determination. Ultimately, however, your hard work will be rewarded with spectacular views and a huge sense of achievement. Plus you’ll be raising vital funds to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and their families.
You can also find a 
murals across the wards, helping to brighten up the clinical spaces and spread some festive cheer for the families and staff there. They are always so well received with Marina saying, “Going into hospital in the lead up to Christmas is always one of my favourite things to do. It’s lovely to see the children’s faces as they see the artworks coming together. Often, they tell me what they would like to see or want to chat about what I’m doing. It is a great distraction, and it brings out so many smiles – from the children and also parents and staff too. It’s nice to know we’re helping to spread so many smiles in the hospital environment.”
Alongside staff engagement and volunteering, Downing has directly helped to fund Spread a Smile’s work spreading smiles to children in hospital. This year the company is generously supporting our entertainer visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, helping to bring a little seasonal joy to families with children in hospital over Christmas.
children and their siblings in time for Christmas. The willing volunteers hand-picked gifts with each recipient in mind. It was a brilliant opportunity to introduce the Spread a Smile’s work in more depth, with the Bain Capital team taking an active role supporting our families during one of the most difficult times of their year.
