News

Gabrielle Devine joins Spread a Smile

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Spread a Smile is delighted to welcome Gabrielle Devine, our new Digital Marketing Executive to the team. We spoke to Gabrielle about her background and what led her to make the move into the charity sector.

“Moving into the charity sector has long been a dream of mine. My passion for making a positive difference began during the COVID-19 pandemic when I started volunteering as a befriender for Glasgow’s Golden Generation, a charity which supports the wellbeing of elderly individuals facing social isolation. I’ve continued this for almost five years now. Seeing the impact a simple, friendly interaction can have on someone’s day, and making a positive difference in the lives of others, is something that is really important to me.

“This experience resonated deeply with Spread a Smile’s mission: bringing joy and distraction to seriously ill children and their families as they face prolonged time in hospital. In just my first few weeks here, I’ve already seen the huge difference Spread a Smile makes. My first family event was particularly impactful. The dedication to giving individualised attention to each child and their family, combined with the team’s incredible effort in seamlessly running the event, resulted in genuine laughter and fun for the children – and it was wonderful to see their parents smiling alongside them.

“As a painter with a fine art background, I’m especially drawn to how Spread a Smile nurtures young people’s creativity and self-expression in hospitals. Through arts and crafts sessions and by decorating wards with vibrant paintings, we bring comfort and a vital outlet for expression into children’s lives, which is so important during long hospital stays and time away from school.

“I’m incredibly excited to be part of such an amazing team within such a special charity. I can’t wait to fully immerse myself in the Spread a Smile mission, helping to grow our social media presence and share the incredible work we do with the world. I’m especially keen to help us reach new audiences across all our social platforms, particularly on TikTok, and grow our accounts by sharing compelling stories through great images, videos, and impactful writing.”

Susie Baxter, Spread a Smile’s Head of Marketing also said, “I’m delighted to welcome Gabrielle to the team and looking forward to seeing the impact she will no doubt make as we support the charity’s awareness, fundraising and service delivery goals. It is an exciting time for Spread a Smile in terms of our position and aims going forward and already we’re developing lots of new socials initiatives to increase our exposure and ultimately ensure we can continue to be there for seriously ill children and their families when they need us most.”

 

 

Saucony 2025 Run charity

Herne Hill Run Club takes on the Saucony 10K

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The atmosphere in London’s city centre this weekend was buzzing as over 17,000 runners took part in the annual Saucony 10K. Among them were 14 members of the Herne Hill Run Club, who took on the race as a fundraising challenge for Spread a Smile.

Despite the summer heat, the Herne Hill runners demonstrated their sportsmanship and determination, powering through to the finish line in their Spread a Smile running tops and helping to raise vital funds for seriously ill children and young people along the way. A huge thank you to the Herne Hill Run Club for going the extra mile to support Spread a Smile.

A 10K run is a great challenge for both new runners and experienced athletes aiming for a personal best. As the Herne Hill Run Club demonstrated, it’s a fantastic way for your own run club to come together, train for a shared goal, and raise vital funds to support our work.

If you’re inspired, Spread a Smile has spaces for the Vitality 10K on Sunday 28 September 2025, offering a perfect opportunity to achieve your fitness goals before the end of summer, all while raising vital funds to help us spread even more smiles when they’re needed most.

Secure your place now!

 

 

Lego Play pavilion charity day

World Play Day with the LEGO Group

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Spread a Smile was delighted to be invited by the LEGO Group to welcome some of the families we support to the LEGO Play Pavilion at the Serpentine Gallery, London for some exciting LEGO® based workshops and fun.

The pop-up pavilion was installed to celebrate World Play Day, the LEGO Group’s celebration of the UN’s International Day of Play on 11 June and featured brilliant LEGO® creations including a LEGO® wall, slide and a giant parrot. Families supported by Spread a Smile were invited to join across two days, immersing themselves in the world of play and LEGO® and taking part in three workshops:

“Abstract Art” – using large trays of LEGO® in all different shapes, sizes and colours, guests were encouraged to make an abstract piece of art which were then displayed on a large mural wall.

“Pop Art” – for this workshop, the families used a 10 x 10 base board to create any design they wanted in the style of pop art, which finished pieces including a rainbow and characters such as Mario and PAC-Man!

“Speed Building Challenge” – This fun, quick fire building challenge saw our families create a robot using their LEGO® within 7 minutes, before adapting the robots to fly and then adding extra parts so the robot could swim underwater.

LEGO play pavilion

Events such as these provide meaningful and valuable opportunities for families with seriously ill children to do something fun together, providing moments of creativity, connection, and enjoyment.

The workshop leaders were fantastic, showing incredible patience and adapting the workshops to suit each family, and we are so grateful to the LEGO Group for offering this wonderful opportunity to the families we support.

At Spread a Smile, we are proud of the partnerships we build with our corporate supporters. We’ve worked with the LEGO Group for a number of years, developing innovative initiatives to support families with seriously ill children and creating a special and mutually beneficial partnership which engages and inspires everyone involved.

If you or your company would like to find out more about developing a bespoke partnership with Spread a Smile, then please do reach out to Rosie Perkins from our Partnerships Team at rosie@spreadasmile.org.

The National Three Peaks Challenge

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We’re delighted that Team Smile has successfully completed the National Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Britain’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon – in 24 hours and raising thousands of pounds to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people.

Spread a smile challenge group Three peaks

The adventure kicked off on a Friday morning with a long drive from Chester to the Scottish Highlands, arriving at the foot of Ben Nevis in time to begin the first ascent at 5am. The weather was unfortunately not on our side, with heavy rain making the terrain even more challenging and our guide reporting it to be the worst conditions he’d seen all year.

Following a safe descent, the team hopped back on the bus for Scafell Pike in the Lake District, climbing England’s highest Peak in the evening and finally making it back down after midnight. It was then straight back on the road, driving through the night to Wales and arriving to start the final climb to summit of Snowdon at 5am.

Considering the weather conditions, lack of sleep and demanding nature of the challenge, the team were tested both physically and mentally, covering 3,400 meters of altitude and showing huge strength and commitment to the challenge and Spread a Smile.

We are so proud of them all for joining us for this incredible fundraiser which saw, members of the Spread a Smile team, join together with some of our corporate partners, supporters and family recipients come together for an experience they will never forget.

Three Peaks hiking challenge charity fundraiser“I will remember this weekend for a long time to come. Walking alongside a brilliant group of people, all pushing themselves physically to keep taking the next step, even in the driving rain and dark, was truly inspiring. Knowing the difference our effort will make to families supported by Spread a Smile made it 100% worthwhile.”  Laura Walter, Spread a Smile Director of Services

Thank you to Abbey, Amy, Becca, Chloe, Dave, Fiona, Graham, Jo, Kirsteen, Laura, Priya, Alice & Freddie. Also to Charity Challenge for expertly guiding us in the lead up and during the challenge. We really appreciate all of your efforts and for going the extra mile to raise vital funds to spread smiles to seriously ill children, young people and their families.

Feeling inspired?
Take a look at our fundraising challenges to find an event to suit you, be it a Tough Mudder, Inflatable Obstacle Course or the Vitality 10k Run.

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

Toys Hospital Visit Spread a Smile Hasbro

Visit to Southampton Children’s Hospital

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For International Day of Play on 11 June, the Spread a Smile team took to the road to make a special in-person visit to Southampton Children’s Hospital, bringing moments of joy and laughter to the wards.

We were joined by our wonderful friends at Hasbro, who generously volunteered their time and donated toys to give out to patients and be used in communal play sessions, to help make the day as fun as possible.

Spread a Smile magicians Lee and Nick, Fairy Kirsten and singer Tasha all brought the usual Spread a Smile magic to the visit, reaching over 50 patients across the wards and spreading smiles, happiness and laughter.

Fiona Delement, Health Play Specialist at Southampton Children’s Hospital said,

“The Spread a Smile visit was fantastic! Your team was amazing, so kind, caring and completely understood the way hospitals work. They were patient and understanding and fantastic at their jobs. They definitely did what it said on their t-shirts – the smiles were great to see, and we had such lovely comments from staff and families. My highlights were hearing belly laughter from the children who weren’t keen to start with and the little girl in ED who asked if she could sing for us.”

At Spread a Smile, we recognise the important role of play for children and young people in hospital. During times of isolation and vulnerability, when access to play might be limited, we aim to provide moments of distraction, and happiness. We see play as a key part of their well-being and recovery.

Our sincere thanks to Hasbro for their generosity, both in their toy donations and the support of their volunteers on the day. We are extremely proud of this wonderful partnership.

Sign up to our newsletter here to stay up to date with all things Spread a Smile.

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 Hospitsl
  • 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.