News

Mortlake Crematorium supports Spread a Smile

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Across the UK, crematoria are finding meaningful ways to support local and national charities such as Spread a Smile, raising vital funds to make a difference.

Recently, Mortlake Crematorium, Kew generously supported Spread a Smile as part of a national metal recycling initiative in partnership with Orthometals. The partnership sees metals (such as metal limbs), recovered after cremations with families’ consent, recycled and the proceeds donated to charity.

Mortlake Crematorium donated an incredible £4,250 through the initiative to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people, including to those receiving treatment at local hospitals such as West Middlesex Hospital, Kingston Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

Natasha Bradshaw, Manager at Mortlake Crematorium said, “We wanted to support the great work that Spread a Smile does. It is so hard for a family watch a child go through treatment, sometimes being in hospital for long periods, or having to return to hospital on numerous occasions for treatment.  Being able to see their child smile and have fun in those times may give all involved a little relief.  The charity supports the families and siblings too which is just great. Kindness and joy are infectious and that is why Spread a Smile was such a great charity to nominate, as they bring joy on often difficult days for ill children and their families.”

Susie Baxter Head of Marketing for Spread a Smile, (pictured right) visited the Crematorium to receive the cheque, sharing more about how the charity’s entertainers spend time with seriously ill children in hospital, at our family events and through our online sessions, to bring moments of joy, distraction and happiness when they are needed most.

Susie said, “For children living with serious illness, time for fun and play can often feel out of reach. Thanks to the generosity of organisations such as Mortlake Crematorium and the bereaved families who kindly donate their loved ones’ metals, Spread a Smile will bring hope and joy to children and families going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We are extremely grateful for their kindness and support helping us spread smiles to children local to them and across the country.”

If you know of a Crematorium local to you that might be interested in supporting our work, please do help spread the word or reach out to our fundraising team at fundraising@spreadasmile.org. We’d love to hear from you. Thank you.

 

Shining a spotlight on Trusts & Foundations

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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At Spread a Smile, we’re proud to bring moments of hope, joy and laughter to seriously ill children and young people across the country. None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of the trusts and foundations who play such a vital role in making this work happen.

Funding from trusts and foundations is essential to our growth and sustainability. We work closely with our trust and foundation partners to deliver services that have a meaningful impact for seriously ill children and their families across the UK. We don’t receive any statutory funding, so every grant, from one-off donations to multi-year funding, is crucial to sustaining and growing our services.

This support helps us to:

  • Expand our hospital partnerships and reach more seriously ill children across the UK.
  • Sustain our core programme delivery, ensuring families can rely on us when they need us most.
  • Respond flexibly to the changing needs of hospitals, hospices and the children we support.

“St Faith’s Trust has provided a donation to Spread a Smile to fund visits to seriously ill children in Surrey hospitals. Although the trust’s engagement with Spread a Smile is very recent, we’ve been very impressed with their professionalism and responsiveness, as well as the obvious joy and happiness they bring to the children.”
Peter Terelak, Trustee, St Faith’s Trust

“Our approach to working with trusts and foundations is built on partnership and transparency. We take time to understand each funder’s priorities and provide clear, detailed evidence of the impact their support makes possible. We’re so grateful to all our trusts and foundations partners – a huge thank you.”
Kuljeet de Souza, Trusts & Foundations Manager

Thank you to all the trusts and foundations whose generosity makes our work possible. Your support helps ensure we can continue to be there for seriously ill children, spreading smiles where they’re needed most.

Join the Spread a Smile community! Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter to stay up to date with our latest charity news.

London Marathon 2026 success

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Spread a Smile’s largest-ever London Marathon team crossed the finish line this weekend, with 15 incredible runners completing the full 26.2 miles to raise vital funds for our work bringing joy to seriously ill children across the UK.

It was a beautiful day with an incredible atmosphere, as crowds lined the route to cheer on the marathon’s 59,000 participants, including our very special 15 who made us incredibly proud.

Every member of our team spent months preparing, fundraising and training, and their commitment and determination shone through from start to finish. Our team was dotted along the course and out in full force at the cheer points, supporting runners along the route and making sure they knew we were there every step of the way.

By taking on this remarkable personal challenge, the team raised vital funds for Spread a Smile, supporting our work bringing joy and laughter to seriously ill children in NHS hospitals across the UK. The London Marathon is an extraordinary achievement for everyone involved and makes a real difference to charities like ours.

One of our runners, Josh, shared his experience of the day:

“The heat made something already so challenging, at times unbearable but I GOT IT DONE!!! Through the many, many times I had to dig deep, I reminded myself of everybody’s incredible generosity and most importantly the real strength and resilience shown by the children and families, and the heroics of everybody at ‘Spread a Smile’. Thank you so, so, so much everyone!!”

If you have been inspired by the London Marathon, there are still places available to join us at the Royal Parks Half Marathon on 11 October. It’s a great opportunity to achieve something amazing while raising vital funds to support our work.

A heartfelt thank you to our 15 incredible runners, who took on the full London Marathon and made us immensely proud with their determination, commitment and spirit. We are also incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, cheered and supported our Team Smile runners.

To hear more about our events, fundraising opportunities and the impact of our work, sign up to our e-newsletter to stay up to date with our latest news.

Meet our London Marathon Runners

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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With the 2026 London Marathon just two days away, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on two very special members of Team Smile.

Meet Josh Crocker, son of our co-founder Vanessa, and Nicole Segal, daughter of our co-founder Josephine. It means so much to see the next generation of our founders’ families stepping up to give their time, energy and dedication to the charity.

Josh shares:

“I am really excited to be running the Marathon for Spread a Smile. Over the last 13 years I have seen how much the charity has grown and I am so proud to be raising funds to support their vital work.”

Nicole said:

“Running the London Marathon for Spread a Smile and the incredible families it supports is an absolute honour. I’ve been fortunate enough to see first-hand the impact that even the smallest moments of joy can bring. I’ll be thinking of the inspiring children, their siblings and families, the amazing entertainers, wider team and medical professionals with every mile.”

This year, we have 15 incredible runners taking on the marathon – our biggest team ever! We couldn’t be prouder or more grateful to every single one of them. If you’re heading down on Sunday, keep an eye out for Team Smile runners and give them a cheer.

Good luck to everyone taking part this weekend – we’re behind you every step of the way!

Feeling inspired? Join Team Smile at the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11 October and help us continue bringing joy to seriously ill children across the country.

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Underground Cookery School

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We recently treated a group of 13 young people we support to a very special day out at the Underground Cookery School, giving them the chance to step away from clinical settings, spend time together and learn new skills in a supportive environment.

The session was designed to be hands-on, relaxed and fun. With guidance from expert chefs, the young people learned how to make authentic bolognese and fresh pasta from scratch, as well as chocolate soufflés. Not only was the experience enjoyable, but everyone picked up practical cooking skills they can use at home, and all the guests did an amazing job.

While waiting for their delicious pasta to cook, the group enjoyed a food-themed quiz, before finally sitting down together to tuck into the meal they had made.

For teenagers living with serious illness, extended hospital stays and ongoing treatment can often mean missing out on social time, shared experiences and opportunities to build independence. Many services are designed with much younger children or adults in mind, which can leave teenagers and young people with fewer chances to connect with others their age in a comfortable, informal setting. Experiences like this cookery day play an important role in creating space for teenagers living with or recovering from serious illness to relax, build friendships and enjoy time together away from medical environments.

One parent shared:

“I just wanted to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you for organising such a fantastic event for the children. It was clear how much thought, effort, and care went into every detail, and it truly made for a memorable experience.

Both Nally and Zara had an amazing time. From the activities to the atmosphere, everything was so well put together, and it was wonderful to see the children so engaged and happy.

We really appreciate all the hard work that went on behind the scenes to make it happen. Events like this make such a positive difference, and we’re very grateful.

Thank you once again, and we look forward to future events!”

At Spread a Smile, we pride ourselves on offering bespoke, engaging and inclusive events for children and young people living with serious illness. By creating these shared experiences, we help provide moments of normality, connection and joy for young people and their families, when they need it most.

Sign up to our e-news to be the first to hear about the impact made possible thanks to our amazing supporters.

 

Happy 13th Birthday Spread a Smile

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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On 11 April 2026, Spread a Smile celebrates 13 years since the charity was founded, bringing joy, comfort and distraction to seriously ill children and their families across the UK.

As we celebrate this milestone, a donation of £13 can help us continue delivering these moments of support to children and families when they need them most.

Spread a Smile began when Co‑Founder Josephine Segal saw the difference an entertainer made to her nephew, Aaron, while he was receiving treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). After a magician’s visit lifted Aaron’s spirits, he asked if other children on the ward could have the same experience. That moment inspired Josephine and her friend Vanessa Crocker to found the charity, working closely with GOSH.

Thirteen years on, Spread a Smile now works with 39 NHS hospitals across the country. We deliver regular in person entertainer visits to hospital wards, alongside virtual sessions and treat drops, including 2,000 bespoke festive Smile Hampers sent to seriously ill children and their siblings at Christmas. Alongside this, we run a wide range of family events, from Summer and Winter parties to theatre trips and shared experiences outside of the hospital environment, all designed to support children and families living with serious illness.

We marked our birthday with special visits to Great Ormond Street Hospital, King’s College Hospital, St Mary’s Hospital and The Royal London Hospital. Young patients and healthcare professionals enjoyed entertainment, delicious treats from Lola’s Cupcakes and gifts for children on the wards.

We are incredibly proud of the impact Spread a Smile has had over the past 13 years and deeply grateful to our supporters, whose generosity makes every visit, smile and shared moment possible. Thank you to our supporters, corporate partners, volunteers, hospitals we work with

Donate £13 today to help us continue supporting seriously ill children and their families.

Here’s to 13 years of spreading smiles where they’re needed most.

Noah’s story

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Today, for National Siblings Day, we are sharing the special story of Noah and his twin sister Naima. Noah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in May 2022. At the time, he was only two years old.

Read Noah’s story

During long periods of intense treatment, everyday moments of togetherness became vital for both Noah and Naima. Serious illness impacts the whole family, especially siblings who often face time apart. Spread a Smile began visiting Noah at his bedside at Great Ormond Street Hospital in July 2022. Our entertainers sang his favourite songs to bring a sense of normality back to their lives.

Noah and Naima’s mum, Dilly, shared what these visits meant for their family:

“Spread a Smile give Noah and Naima time to laugh, have fun and enjoy themselves together. When I see that, I am also able to laugh and relax. I can just enjoy being with them in that moment.”

We are proud to partner with Children with Cancer UK to bring joy to seriously ill children and their siblings across the country. Together, we bring joy through in-person and virtual entertainer visits across NHS hospitals. Our partnership also provides wonderful family events, including our magical Summer and Winter parties.

Be the first to hear about Spread a Smile’s latest news – sign up to our monthly e-newsletter.

Celebrating our partnership with SCOR

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We are incredibly proud to share that Spread a Smile has been chosen once again as SCOR’s charity partner, with the partnership renewed for a further two years.

Over the past two years, SCOR’s support has made a truly meaningful difference to the children and families we work with. Thanks to the dedication, generosity and enthusiasm of SCOR colleagues, we have been able to visit the hospital bedsides of thousands of seriously ill children, bringing moments of joy, distraction and relief at some of the most difficult times in their lives.

SCOR’s support has gone far beyond fundraising. Colleagues have generously volunteered their time and talents, from helping in our office and packing hundreds of personalised Christmas Smile Hampers, to supporting family events and using their creativity to brighten hospital wards. At Christmas, their hands-on help played a vital role in ensuring children in hospital and their siblings received a Smile Hamper, helping to make an especially tough time of year feel a little lighter.

Together, our partnership has enabled our team of entertainers to reach children at their bedsides, restoring moments of childhood through laughter, creativity and human connection when it is needed most.

Reflecting on the renewed partnership, Lucy Jackson, CEO of Spread a Smile, said:

“We are so grateful and honoured to have been chosen again as SCOR’s charity partner. Over the last two years, their support has enabled us to reach the hospital bedsides of thousands of seriously ill children, creating moments of joy when they are needed most. It is always sad when a corporate partnership comes to an end, but to be able to continue working together for another two years is incredible. It means we can hit the ground running, build on everything we’ve already achieved, and have an even greater impact for the children and families we support.”

Looking ahead, we are excited about what the next two years will bring. With SCOR’s continued commitment, we will be able to reach more children, create more joyful moments and ensure families feel supported and less alone during some of their darkest days.

Thank you, SCOR, we are so proud to continue this partnership and can’t wait for what’s ahead.

Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter to stay up to date with our work.

Easter Tea Party at Corinthia London

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We were delighted to welcome 80 guests to the beautiful Corinthia London for a special family celebration, filled with creativity, laughter and unforgettable moments together.

The afternoon began with welcome drinks, before families were invited into the gorgeous Ballroom to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. Tables were filled with an array of treats, creating the perfect setting for families to relax and spend quality time together in a luxurious and welcoming space.

Throughout the event, our brilliant entertainers brought lots of smiles and laughter. Singers Collette and Rosie filled the Ballroom with wonderful singing, while Mr Magic and Sacha amazed children and grown-ups alike with their performances. We also had Fairy Francesca entertaining our young guests, as well as face and arm painting, with children choosing whichever designs they wanted.

There was no shortage of hands-on activities for our guests to enjoy. From an Easter Egg Hunt to creative craft stations, children decorated Easter bonnet hats, treasure boxes, tote bags and biscuits, taking home their creations as keepsakes from the day. It was great to witness such beautiful creations and creativity from our guests.

Events like this provide young patients, their parents, carers and siblings with precious time away from the pressures of hospital life, offering moments of joy, connection and respite when they are needed most.

We are incredibly grateful to the team at Corinthia London for hosting us so generously and for helping to create such a memorable experience for the families we support.

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Our March e-newsletter is here!

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Our March e-newsletter is here!

It’s been a busy month of spreading smiles – from hospital visits to special family moments and brilliant supporter events.

Read our monthly e-newsletter now to catch up on the impact we’ve made, including Bay’s story for World Kidney Day, our wonderful World Book Day visit with Hannah Gold, a VIP family event to see Hercules, our insurance and real estate dinners, and a celebration of our Supporter of the Month, Expect Amazing.

We’ve also included a quick chance to share your thoughts on our e-newsletter – it only takes two minutes and we’d really love to hear your feedback.

Click here to subscribe to receive our monthly updates, straight to your inbox.