News

Thank you for helping us spread smiles

 780 400 Hannah Myers
By:

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.

Chief Executive Third Sector Awards nomination

 780 400 Susie
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We are delighted and proud to announce that Spread a Smile’s Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson has been shortlisted in the prestigious 2026 Third Sector Awards, ‘Charity Chief Executive’ category.

The Third Sector Awards are the largest awards celebration for the not-for-profit sector in the UK, designed to honour charities, agencies, and individuals who make a significant impact on communities and society.

Paul Godfrey, Spread a Smile’s Chair of Trustees, nominated Lucy for the Award, saying, “Since  becoming Chief Executive in December 2017, Lucy has transformed a small volunteer-led charity into a nationally recognised organisation that delivers joy, connection and emotional support to tens of thousands of seriously ill children, young people and family members every year.

“Under her leadership, annual income has grown from £250,000 to more than £2 million and has been sustained at that level for the past three years. NHS hospital partners have increased from 4 to 39 and bedside visits have grown year after year.

“Lucy is a transformational Chief Executive whose natural ability to build relationships, inspire confidence and communicate a compelling vision has driven sustainable growth. She has strengthened the charity’s national profile through media appearances and engagement with MPs.

“We are grateful to Lucy for her hard work, passion, commitment and a determination to get things done.”

Lucy – we salute you and thank you for your hard work and dedication. You are an inspirational leader who has made a huge impact for Spread a Smile and the families we support.

The awards will be announced in a ceremony at London Hilton Park Lane on Friday 11 September and we wish Lucy all the best.

Spread a Smile Appeal Now Live!

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By:

The Spread a Smile Appeal 2026 is now live!

Running from 5-9 July, the appeal aims to raise thousands of pounds to help ensure we can deliver 23,000 smiles to seriously ill children this year. Over the past few weeks, Spread a Smile ‘Champions’ from across the country have been signing up to fundraising during the appeal week to help us reach our goal.

Every year, tens of thousands of seriously ill children spend months on hospital wards, cut off from the ordinary joys of childhood. No playdates. No school trips. No sense of normality.
Just clinical routines, uncertainty, and fear. 

Spread a Smile’s mission is to be there for as many of them as possible, bringing them entertainment, joy and happiness when it’s needed most. 

You can support the appeal by making a donation today.

£30 enables a fairy to sprinkle some fairy dust
£60 provides magical moments with a magician
£150 offers comfort and cuddles with our therapy dogs

Spread a Smile Appeal 2026 – Donate Now!

Every single donation brings us closer to our goal.

You can make something real happen for children facing the most difficult of times. Please donate today.

Spread a Smile joins SoHPS Conference

 780 400 Susie
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Earlier this month we were delighted to be invited to be part of the SoHPS Society of Health Play Specialists 3rd annual conference.

Ellie Walker (Head of Family Events) and Jennie Walton (Head of Services), along with entertainers, Judge the Poet and Louise were there to share the amazing work Spread a Smile does working with Play teams across NHS hospitals.

The conference is a chance to network and engage with fellow play professionals, celebrate the amazing work of play specialists and hear inspiring stories from health practitioners.

Laura Walter, Spread a Smile Director of Services said: “Play is crucial for physical, social and emotional development and wellbeing and an essential part of childhood. At Spread a Smile, we aim to help bring the benefits of play to children and young people in hospital at a time when it might be more difficult to access and they are feeling most isolated and vulnerable.”

Judge the Poet and Louise showcased the work of Spread a Smile, entertaining delegates attending the conference and over lunch.

Thank you to the Society of Health Play Specialists and all those involved with organising the conference for making us so welcome. We’re looking forward to next year already.

Masthaven Champions – Three Peaks Challenge

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A huge congratulations and thank you to our long-standing corporate partner, Masthaven, who have raised an incredible £15,100 for Spread a Smile by taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge.

A team of 14 colleagues, led by CEO and Spread a Smile Trustee Andrew Bloom, completed one of Britain’s toughest outdoor challenges, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon within 24 hours. Covering around 26 miles and ascending almost 3,000 metres, the team pushed themselves both physically and mentally to support seriously ill children and young people.

Masthaven has proudly supported Spread a Smile since 2019, and this challenge marks another incredible milestone in our partnership. The funds raised will help us continue delivering magical bedside visits from entertainers, musicians, magicians, artists, fairies and therapy dogs, creating moments of joy, laughter and connection for children and families in hospital.

Andrew Bloom said: “To complete the Three Peaks Challenge within 24 hours is a tough event, but also incredibly rewarding for myself and all 14 people in Team Masthaven. A real highlight was seeing how everyone rallied together when things got tough – there was always someone offering encouragement, a joke or a snack when it was needed most.

“Through every weather condition, the team kept each other going, and reaching the final summit together was a lovely moment. Knowing we were raising money for an incredible charity like Spread a Smile kept us motivated throughout. We’re hugely proud of what Team Masthaven has achieved together.”

A huge thank you to Andrew and everyone at Masthaven for their incredible commitment, determination and continued support. Together, they’re helping us spread smiles to even more seriously ill children and young people.

If your company would like to take on a fundraising challenge such as the National Three Peaks Challenge, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with our Partnerships Manager, Rosie Perkins, rosie@spreadasmile.org.

WillU Group CEO takes on 52-mile Appeal challenge

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WillU Group CEO Jack Lane-Matthews takes on epic 52-mile challenge for Spread a Smile

One incredible supporter. Fifty two miles. Twelve hours. Countless smiles.

Spread a Smile is incredibly proud to have the support of Jack Lane-Matthews, Group CEO and Co-Owner at WillU Group, who is taking on an extraordinary fundraising challenge as part of our upcoming fundraising appeal from 5–9 July.

On 9 July, Jack will be running 52 miles – the equivalent of a double marathon-  in just 12 hours. Starting on the hour, every hour, he’ll head out to run approximately four miles before returning to the start line and doing it all over again.

It’s a huge physical and mental test, but for Jack, the motivation is simple.

“I’ve been lucky enough to see first-hand the incredible work Spread a Smile does and the happiness it brings to seriously ill children and their families. Every visit, every performance and every smile makes a real difference, and that’s what will keep me going when my legs start to hurt.

“This challenge is about pushing myself to help create moments of joy for children who are facing challenges far greater than any 52-mile run. If it inspires even one other person to take on their own fundraising challenge, that would be amazing.”

Jack is no stranger to endurance events. Last year he completed the London Marathon and Ironman Austria, spending months training for the challenges and covering more than 100 miles every week. Now he’s setting himself another ambitious goal in support of Spread a Smile.

We’re so grateful to have Jack as part of the Spread a Smile family and can’t wait to cheer him on every mile of the way.

It’s not too late to become an Appeal Champion.

Whether you’re planning a run, a cycle, a bake sale, a quiz night or something completely different, we’d love you to join us between 5 and 9 July and take on your own challenge to help spread smiles when they’re needed most.

Good luck, Jack – we’ll be with you every step of the 50 miles (in spirit!).

Spread a Smile Appeal - Abound Norway Trek

Champions ‘Abound’ supports Spread a Smile Appeal

 780 400 Susie
By:

Abound is proudly supporting The Spread a Smile Appeal, with a programme of fundraising activities to help bring joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families across the country.

The team kicked off their endeavours with a trek to Kjerag, Norway, on 27 June. Taking on one of Norway’s most spectacular hiking challenges, the Abound team covered 12km of steep granite trails and dramatic mountain scenery, testing their determination and teamwork while raising vital funds for the appeal.

Having proudly supported Spread a Smile for more than three years, Abound is aiming to make 2026 their biggest fundraising year yet, with 30 colleagues coming together to support the appeal through a range of activities and events.

Every pound raised will help Spread a Smile reach its goal of delivering 23,000 smiles this year through magical hospital visits from entertainers including magicians, musicians, artists, fairies and therapy dogs, bringing moments of joy, reducing anxiety and creating lasting memories for seriously ill children and their families when they need them most.

It’s still not too late to become an Appeal Champion.

Find out more and sign up today and help us continue to spread smiles.

Support ‘Team Abound’ here.

Entertainer Spotlight: Sar and Elsie

 780 400 Hannah Myers
By:

Sar with the Guitar and Elsie the Star!

Spread a Smile’s entertainers bring joy, laughter and connection to seriously ill children and young people through music, magic, storytelling, art and therapy dogs. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our longest-serving entertainers, Sar, and her four-legged companion, Elsie.

Sar joined Spread a Smile in 2013, just six months after the charity was founded, and has been helping to spread smiles ever since.

Reflecting on her early days with the charity, Sar said: “I joined Spread a Smile in 2013, 6 months after the charity first started. It’s been incredible to see how much the charity has grown since those early days and witness first-hand the impact it has made on thousands of seriously ill children and their families over the years.”

Using music to connect with children and families has always been at the heart of Sar’s work.

“I loved the idea of using my skills playing the guitar and singing nursery rhymes to support children and families during incredibly difficult times – creating moments of joy, laughter, and normality for young people in hospital.”

Music has played an important role throughout Sar’s life. Growing up in a musical family, with both parents playing the piano, she learnt to play the guitar from the age of 12 and developed a passion for singing and amateur dramatics. Following the birth of her first child in 1997, Sar and her twin sister founded Little Stars, a music group for babies and toddlers, which they ran for 16 years.

Over the past 12 years, Sar has seen Spread a Smile grow from supporting children at one hospital to reaching thousands of children and families across the country.

“When I first joined the charity, we were only entertaining in Great Ormond Street Hospital, but even then, the heart and purpose behind the work were very clear. Over the past 12 years I have seen SAS expand into another 38 hospitals and 6 hospices, offering a wider range of services and events to the children and families we support. What has never changed is the importance of connection. A visit from the entertainers can completely change the atmosphere of a hospital room creating magical moments and memories.”

Throughout her visits, Sar has witnessed first-hand the difference that entertainment can make during difficult times.

“There have been so many memorable moments over the years. One of the most special things is seeing a child who is withdrawn and anxious suddenly light up through music, bubbles, and interaction.

I have met many families who were going through incredibly difficult times and hearing them say that a visit gave them a moment of relief, or that they haven’t seen their child smile or laugh in weeks is something I never forget.”

For Sar, the relationships built along the way are one of the most rewarding parts of being a Spread a Smile entertainer and when asked what she enjoys most about being part of Spread a Smile she says: “The people, without question. I love building connections with children, families, hospital staff and of course the other entertainers. It is incredibly rewarding to know that something as simple as music and conversation can make someone’s day a little brighter.”

Meet Elsie

Alongside her guitar, Sar is now joined by Elsie, a Maltipoo therapy dog who is already helping to spread smiles on hospital visits.

Elsie loves chicken and treats, going for walks, sleeping, spending time with her best friend Bamba and climbing onto Sar for cuddles first thing in the morning. Although Sar originally wanted to call her CeCe, her family had other ideas and Elsie now answers to a variety of nicknames including Elsielee, Else, Neesha and Snooies.

“After seeing the other gorgeous Spread a Smile therapy dogs in action, I knew Elsie would be a perfect fit for the job. Elsie has a naturally calm, gentle temperament. She is affectionate, patient, sociable and very responsive to people’s emotions. Becoming a therapy dog felt like a wonderful way for her to bring comfort and happiness to others.”

To become a therapy dog, Elsie completed a series of assessments designed to test her temperament and suitability for hospital environments.

“Elsie began her journey to becoming a pet therapy dog with an assessment in the park, where we met with a representative who asked a series of questions about her temperament and behaviour. After observing her and discussing her personality she successfully passed the assessment.

The next stage of her training took place at GOSH where she was assessed again. I walked Elsie around a ward so she could experience the hospital environment, meet patients and families. Elsie remained calm, friendly, and confident throughout, demonstrating the qualities needed to provide comfort to those in hospital.”

Together, Sar and Elsie are helping to create moments of comfort, connection and joy for children and families when they need them most.

A huge thank you to Sar and Elsie for helping us spread smiles to seriously ill children across the country.

Find out more about the Spread a Smile Appeal and become a Champion to help us spread even more smiles.

Our entertainers – Meet Storyteller Posey

 780 400 Hannah Myers
By:

Stories can transport us to new worlds, spark imagination and provide comfort during difficult times. For children spending long periods in hospital, they can also offer moments of connection, calm and normality when they are needed most.

This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Posey, one of Spread a Smile’s professional storytellers, who has been bringing stories, smiles and imagination to the children and families we support for almost four years.

Posey joined Spread a Smile in September 2022 and quickly found a charity whose mission perfectly aligned with her own passion for storytelling and childhood creativity.

“As a children’s storyteller, I am really passionate about the magic that stories and reading offer a child, and I love the Spread a Smile mission. It’s so simple and completely aligns with how I describe myself, which is ‘childlike, not childish’. Tapping into the joy of reading and sharing stories is something I have worked to do for nearly 30 years in a wide range of settings and roles. Offering entertainment to children in hospital is more than just giving a bit of fun – it’s the chance to let the power of imagination into your heart and mind.”

With an MA in Children’s Literature from Roehampton University and a career spanning libraries, schools and bookstores in both the UK and the United States, Posey has dedicated much of her professional life to helping children discover a love of books and stories.

Today, she delivers online storytimes, one-to-one virtual sessions and regular hospital visits for Spread a Smile, sharing stories with children of all ages. She also visits paediatric and neonatal intensive care units, where storytelling can provide valuable opportunities for connection between children and their families.

Posey has also played an important role in helping to develop Spread a Smile’s Intensive Care Library Project, which provides dedicated book libraries within NHS hospital partners for families with children receiving intensive and high dependency care.

The project aims to help families access the comfort and familiarity of reading together during long hospital stays, creating special moments of connection through stories.

“As one of the team who helped create the Intensive Care Library Project, it’s still such a privilege to walk onto a ward and see the bookcase full of books that I grew up with, or read to my own son, knowing that other parents have an easy and powerful way to connect with their own child. There’s no simpler way to express your love and connection with a baby or child than to read to them and share a story.”

Storytelling is increasingly recognised as an important part of supporting children’s emotional wellbeing in hospital. Research has shown that reading and storytelling can help reduce anxiety, fear and stress, while improving mood, sleep and overall wellbeing. Stories can also help children process difficult experiences, understand medical procedures and maintain a sense of childhood during treatment.

“There’s an increasing body of evidence demonstrating how storytelling and reading can have a significant positive impact on seriously ill children in hospital. Some studies have even found measurable biological benefits, such as lower stress hormone levels and increased feelings of comfort and connection, so when I say there’s science behind the power of listening to a story, it’s true.”

Throughout her time with Spread a Smile, Posey has seen first-hand the difference that stories can make to children and families.

“There’s a family who regularly join my virtual storytimes because they tell me how much my voice soothes and relaxes their daughter, which is a huge compliment for a child who lives primarily in a medical setting. Other parents share how much fun I am, and how their child now reads or asks for books to be read using my same silly voices and expressions. And of course, meeting brand new babies in the NICU and having the privilege of reading them their first-ever story just makes my heart sing.”

For Posey, being a storyteller at Spread a Smile is about far more than simply reading words on a page.

“Books is too obvious an answer, because my role with Spread a Smile is more than just reading words on a page – it’s bringing stories to life, to children who need them, in a way that provides them with exactly the right kind of entertainment. That’s what really sets Spread a Smile apart – everyone is so intuitive and focused on being exactly what a child or baby needs at a particular point in time. The work never feels like work – it’s just the very best way to try to make a child’s world a better place for even a few minutes.”

A huge thank you to Posey for helping children and families find comfort, connection and joy through the power of storytelling.

To find out more about our work, please click here.

International Day of Play 2026

 780 400 Hannah Myers
By:

On Thursday 11 June, we celebrated International Day of Play – a global initiative, recognised by the United Nations, which highlights the essential role of play in every child’s life.

The day is an important reminder that all children have a right to play and that opportunities for fun, creativity and connection are vital for children’s wellbeing and development. At Spread a Smile, helping seriously ill children access the benefits of play is at the heart of everything we do, particularly at a time when hospital stays, treatment and isolation can make these experiences more difficult to access.

To mark International Day of Play, Spread a Smile entertainers Posey, Leanne and Mitra joined the Play Team at St Mary’s Hospital for a day of fun and laughter across the wards. Through storytelling, songs, comedy, games and imaginative play, they spent time with children and families, creating moments of joy, distraction and connection throughout the hospital.

A particular focus of the day was ensuring that children who may find it harder to access play opportunities, including those in isolation rooms, could also take part. Through bedside visits and personalised interactions, the team helped ensure as many children as possible could experience the fun and benefits of play.

Supporting opportunities for play is a key part of Spread a Smile’s work in NHS hospitals and hospices across the country. In 2025/26, we delivered In 2025–26, we delivered over 18,411 in-person bedside visits and over 2,860 virtual visits, in partnership with 39 NHS hospitals and six hospice partners, helping thousands of seriously ill children and young people access moments of joy, creativity and connection when they needed them most.

Laura Walter, Director of Services at Spread a Smile, said:

“International Day of Play is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate something that is so important to every child – play. Play is about so much more than having fun – it helps children express themselves, build confidence, reduce their anxiety and create positive memories.

“At Spread a Smile, play is at the heart of our work. Every day, we work closely with the brilliant play teams across our NHS hospital partners, providing different forms of entertainment and play experiences. It’s been wonderful celebrating International Day of Play alongside the fantastic Play Team at St Mary’s Hospital.”

A huge thank you to the Play Team at St Mary’s Hospital for inviting us to be part of such a special day and for the incredible support they provide to children and families throughout the year.

Happy International Day of Play from everyone at Spread a Smile.

To donate to ensure we can continue our vital work, please click here