News

Family theatre trip a roaring success

 780 400 Susie
By:

Spread a Smile family outings and theatre trips provide the families we support with an opportunity to spend time together, relax and experience something very special.

Last month, we organised a wonderful West End theatre trip to see The Lion King in London, with 14 families joining in the fun, including some of the seriously ill children we support along with their parents/carers and siblings.

We always make a fuss of our VIP guests and as usual, everyone enjoyed a lovely pre-show party with pizza and delicious treats from Lola’s cupcakes and NUNOSH. Our families loved meeting some of our team of entertainers, with Spread a Smile magicians, balloon artists, singers, fairies and face painters, all helping to share the Spread a Smile magic. One parent said, “The way you make them laugh is like no other. Thank you so, so, so much. Another ‘best day ever’.”

After sitting down to enjoy the show, our guests enjoyed a meet and greet with two of the cast members, providing a chance to make memories which will stay with them for years to come.

We’re so grateful to all of our supporters and everyone involved for helping to make these days possible. Particular thanks to Disney, Lola’s Cupcakes and Nu Nosh. Also, to our volunteers on the day from our corporate partners, Texel Foundation, West One Loans/Enra, Downing, ICAP and Uncommon.

To find out more about our outings and events and how we support the families of seriously ill children and young people, please click here.

Mildreds’ macarons help spread smiles

 780 400 Susie
By:

Looking for a tasty treat which gives back during October? Then look no further than Mildreds and their sister restaurant Mallow.

To celebrate World Smile Day on 6 October, Mildreds have created a special trio of macrons with all profits from sales of this delicious treat being donated to the charity during October.

Each macaron has a different flavour which represents the Spread a Smile colours: sour cherry jam for pink, chocolate orange ganache for orange, and vanilla bean buttercream for blue. And, are as delicious as they look!

Mildreds and Mallow are a group of plant-based restaurants with venues in Camden, Covent Garden, Soho, Kings Cross, Dalston (Mildreds) and Borough Market and Canary Wharf (Mallow).

They have been supporting Spread a Smile for over a year, welcoming some of the families we support for regular afternoon teas at their restaurant in Covent Garden.

Sam Anstey, Managing Director at Mildreds said, “We are so proud to be working with such a special charity so close to our hearts. Spread a Smile do amazing work and all our teams are so pleased to be able to support them. It has been great to be involved and to experience the impact that Spread a Smile have in helping others.”

Alongside the macarons, Mildreds will also be fundraising for Spread a Smile by adding an optional £1 onto guest bills across their restaurants from 1- 14 October.

Vanessa Crocker Spread a Smile Co-founder said, “Mildreds have been a wonderfully supportive partner over the past year, helping to provide moments of respite and relaxation through their afternoon teas for some of the families we support. We’re excited to see their plans for October and World Smile Day and are so grateful to all of the team for their continued support and enthusiasm.”

Please do show your support for Mildreds during October and help us raise as much as possible to ensure we can continue to spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people when they need it most.

Find your nearest Mildreds and Mallow restaurants here.

What a night! B&C Awards 2023

 780 400 Susie
By:

Spread a Smile was delighted to be chosen as charity partner for this years B&C Awards, held at the prestigious Hurlingham Club in London last Thursday night.

The Awards, organised by Medianett Publishing in association with Market Finance Solutions, celebrate companies and individuals from the specialist finance market, with 30 awards handed out on the night.

Spread a Smile Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson along with our Head of Fundraising Amanda Azouz and Mr Magic joined guests for a wonderful evening centred around the theme of the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. An amazing £19,000 was raised on the night through pledges and a silent auction to help spread smiles to seriously ill children and young people and their families.

“After hearing the stories about the amazing work Spread A Smile does for thousands of children with acute or chronic conditions every year, we were delighted to team up with Spread a Smile at this year’s B&C Awards as our charity partner.” said Medianett Publishing’s Managing Director Beth Fisher.

“After Lucy gave her heartfelt speech and presented her video to our guests, magicians from Spread a Smile worked their magic to get donations from the crowd of over 780 professionals in the specialist finance industry throughout the night.

“We hope the generous donations towards the Silent Auction and from table holders will support this fantastic charity in spreading smiles to thousands more children.”

Andrew Bloom, owner of Spring Finance — who holds the charity close to his heart and recommended us as this year’s Awards partner — commented: “Spread A Smile is a truly special charity; what could be purer than bringing joy and laughter to a seriously ill child. In 2023, their entertainers will visit dozens of hospitals nationwide spreading smiles to thousands of children. I am delighted to be part of an industry that supports charities like these.”

Our thanks go to Spring Finance and Medianett Publishing for their wonderful support.

Please do get in touch with the team at fundraising@spreadasmile.org if you are interested in supporting our work. Thank you.

Teeing off in memory of Louie Hibberd

 780 400 Susie
By:

For the last few years, the Hibberd family has generously supported Spread a Smile by organising a Golf Day in memory of their son Louie, who sadly lost his life to a brain tumour three years ago.

Spread a Smile supported Louie and his family whilst he was receiving treatment and it was the family’s aim to create a day that would act as a lasting tribute to Louie, bringing together family and friends and helping to keep Louie’s memory alive.

Stuart Hibberd, Louie’s Dad said, “We wanted to support Spread a Smile as it’s not a huge charity and yet it does such important work. We wanted to give something back and really make a difference to children in hospital, hopefully helping to make other families’ lives a bit more manageable during some of the most difficult times.”

This year’s Golf Day was an incredible event, bringing together 100 keen golfers for a fun and relaxed day of golf. One of Spread a Smile’s magicians was on hand on the course to spread some smiles and bring a little bit of extra fun to proceedings.

An amazing £11,408 was raised for Spread a Smile’s work bringing joy to seriously ill children in hospital, with additional donations going to the Paul Linger Foundation and the Golf Club’s charity.

Josephine Segal, Spread a Smile Co-founder and Trustee said, “It means a huge amount to me and everyone at Spread a Smile that we were able to support Louie and his family during Louie’s illness and that we remain part of each other’s families to this day. Even in the face of such a huge loss and heartache, the Hibberd family has created such a special tribute to Louie through their annual Golf Day. It is a very special celebration of his life and we feel so honoured that they have kept us close to their hearts, helping to ensure we can share our smiles with other families going through similar things. Thank you to Louie’s Dad Stuart, Mum Lisa, sisters Ella and Evie and everyone involved for being such an incredible part of the Spread a Smile family.”

A huge thank you to the Hibberd family for their support, kindness and commitment and everyone who supported this wonderful event in Louie’s memory.

Please do get in touch with the team at fundraising@spreadasmile.org if you are interested in supporting our work. Thank you.

 

 

Cycling miles for Spread a Smile – The Big 100

 780 400 Susie
By:

Sometimes our supporters really do go the extra mile for Spread a Smile.

Carter Schwartz is a leading executive search boutique and more than familiar with overcoming challenging situations. So when it comes to encouraging a massive group of keen cyclists to join in their annual cycle ride, it was a breeze. This year the Carter Schwartz team relaunched the cycle ride as The Big 100 bringing participants from across healthcare and social care to ride either 100km or 100 miles through The Chilterns. They partnered with Spread A Smile to raise an incredible £15,434 to support our work bringing joy and laughter to seriously ill children, young people and their families.

Carter Schwart’s Founder and Managing Partner, Adam Carter said, “a record breaking cycle challenge – 47 riders, our largest group yet, raising an enormous £15K plus for the amazing Spread A Smile…Fantastic generosity in these pressing of times. I’m so proud of my team for going the extra mile, our amazing sponsors who supported this amazing day and of course all the riders who gave it their all.”

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive said, “The team at Carter Schwartz has been an inspiration to us at Spread a Smile over the last few months, working tirelessly to organise a fantastic fundraising event to support our work. We’re so grateful to everyone involved, including all of the riders and sponsors for their effort and commitment and for helping to raise such an incredible amount of money which will make such a difference to so many seriously ill children and their families. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” 

Carter Schwartz was introduced to the charity at our Gala Dinner earlier this year through long-term supporters, Downing, who also were also headline sponsors for this brilliant fundraising event.

Downing’s Head of Development Capital and Partner, Mark Gross said, “Downing and The Downing Foundation are proud to be headline sponsor of The Big 100 cycle ride. A huge thank you to Carter Schwartz for organising the event; bringing professionals together from across the healthcare industry and raising money and awareness for the wonderful healthcare charity Spread a Smile.”

Check out this short film from the event. The Big 100 – Cycle Challenge September 2023. – YouTube

Thank you to the event sponsors: Downing, Bracebridge, Bevan Brihan, Hazlewoods, Sensecheck, JEM Property, Shawbrook, Precious, Colliers, DC Advisory and Connell Consulting.

Spread a Smile Golf Days a huge success

 780 400 Susie
By:

Last week we celebrated our 3rd annual Golf Days at the stunning Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, welcoming an amazing 36 teams of four-balls across two days of golf.

The sun shone as the teams took on the 18-hole Palmerston Course, with Spread a Smile entertainers dotted around the course to cheer everyone on. Our magicians wowed our golfers with a little bit of magic, Judge the Poet was on hand with a bit of spontaneous poetry and our musicians Collette and Andy sang and played, making everyone smile with their personalised dedications.

Once the score sheets were in, guests enjoyed a lovely three course meal in the club house, followed by prize giving and a raffle, with Spread a Smile Chief Executive Lucy Jackson sharing a little bit about how our golfers will help to make a huge difference to the families we support.

Neil Taylor, Managing Director at Opticore IT said, “The organisation of the Spread a Smile Golf Day is always exceptional and the cause itself surpasses everything; it resonates with every person that attends. Having so many people in one place having a great time with a shared intention of making a difference is great see, it continues to bring people back year after year.”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our teams for joining us and for helping to raise vital funds to spread smiles to the seriously ill children we support.

Also, to Opticore IT for sponsoring the water bottles, Elaine and Andrew Jaye for sponsoring the raffle, Activit Drinks for their generous donation of 200 cans of Tropical Boost Sparkling Water and Olly’s for kindly donating pretzels and olives for the golfers to enjoy on the course.

Please do get in touch with Rosie at rosie@spreadasmile.org if you would like to find out more about joining our 2024 Golf Days and our exciting sponsorship opportunities.

Introducing our Real Estate Committee

 780 400 Susie
By:

We are proud to announce the launch of our new Real Estate Committee, created to explore new avenues to help us raise funds and awareness for the children and families we support.

The Real Estate Committee is a first for Spread a Smile. Chaired by Shaun Simons, Founder of Compton, the Committee brings together key industry figures; Richard Fine and Dan Uzan, Brotherton, alongside James Lass, Swiss Life Asset Managers, Michael Mirelman, GRE Finance and Chris Davies, CEO, Uncommon.

Prior to the unveiling of the Committee, Compton has already hosted two very well-attended dinners at their restaurant, with a guestlist from the real estate world. The dinner was a brilliant networking opportunity raising important funds to support Spread a Smile’s work, providing in-hospital and virtual entertainment for critically ill children and their families. The idea for the dinners was conceived following a meeting between Lucy Jackson, the charity’s Chief Executive and Shaun Simons, Founder of Compton, who specialise in commercial office leasing & investment.

Collectively the group will create opportunities to raise awareness and vital funds for the charity, via a programme of intimate events and industry dinners, at which guests will learn all about the crucial support that Spread a Smile provides.

Shaun Simons said of his role, “I was blown away when I first learned of the work that Spread a Smile does.  They are an amazingly unique charity and the support they provide really resonated with me from the very first introduction.  My son, who is now 10, was born 4 months premature and together with my wife, we spent over 5 months in various hospitals whilst he received urgent care. Having had significant exposure to many children’s wards I can really understand the importance of the service Spread a Smile provides.

“I have worked in the property industry for 23 years, it’s an amazingly social industry filled with great people. I have formed a strong and widespread network and along with my fellow committee members, I’m confident we can help raise the profile of the charity. I’m sure we will have amazing support from the property industry, a sector that currently knows very little about what the charity provides and the joy they can bring to those struggling. 

Shaun added, “I simply could not refuse the Chair position and I’m really flattered to be asked, and am eager to get stuck in, personally and professionally.  The wider Compton team will also work closely with the Committee, and will be supporting our plans across the Compton brand platforms to further spotlight the incredibly important work Spread a Smile do.”

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile’s Chief Executive said “I’m so looking forward to working with Shaun and the rest of the committee. I’m incredibly grateful to all of them for giving up their time and making important introductions to support our work and raise funds and awareness. This will enable Spread a Smile to continue to deliver our work and support new hospitals, spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families when they need it the most.”

The Committee’s 2023 programme will deliver two events; invite only dinners with engaging speakers and entertainment. The ambition is to bolster this with more events, plus open them out further inviting members from within the wider property community to get involved, all in an attempt to further raise the Spread a Smile charity.

To find out more about the Committee or how your company could get involved with supporting Spread a Smile, please email Lucy Keith at lucykeith@spreadasmile.org. Read more about our Real Estate Committee members here.

New weekend visits to GOSH

 780 400 Susie
By:

Weekends often mean much quieter wards and less distraction and activities available for seriously ill children and young people receiving treatment in hospital. Time can go very slowly, particularly for those spending time in isolation in their own room.

Which is why Spread a Smile recently started weekend visits to patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

Laura Walter, Director of Services for Spread a Smile said, “We are so excited to now be offering a monthly Saturday visit at GOSH. We know from speaking to families that it can be difficult to pass the time in hospital over the weekends, and the days can seem long and monotonous. Weekends can also be an added challenge for families, who are torn between home and hospital. At Spread a Smile, we want to provide as many play opportunities to children and young people as possible, and we recognise that play doesn’t stop at the weekend.”

For September, Spread a Smile Visit Manager Debbie, along with Sar and her guitar worked closely with the GOSH Play Team to visit some of the long term babies and toddlers on the wards, bringing  music, instruments and song. It was lovely to receive some fantastic feedback after the visit from staff and parents of patients saying how beneficial and much appreciated the interactions were.

Each month, the visit will focus on a different theme, bringing a variety of exciting activities and sessions over the weekends, with a special LEGO play visit following in October.

Thank you to our generous donors and supporters for enabling us to continue our vital work supporting seriously ill children and their families when they need it most.

 

Jenna Coleman spreads smiles at BGC Charity Day

 683 350 Susie
By:

Spread a Smile is delighted to have been chosen as a beneficiary charity for the 19th annual BGC Charity Day yesterday.

The fundraiser takes place every year on September 11th to raise money in memory of the brokerage’s 658 colleagues and 61 Eurobrokers employees who tragically lost their lives in the World Trade Centre attacks on 9/11. 100% of BGC Group’s global revenues on the day will be donated to charities around the world, including Spread a Smile.

Photo Credit: Dave Benett

It was a very special day, and we are extremely grateful that BAFTA-nominated British actor Jenna Coleman joined us to represent Spread a Smile on the trading floor at BGC Group, hitting the phones to help raise vital funds for charitable causes alongside a host of other celebrities.

“Spread a Smile is an incredible charity which brings much needed laughter and happiness to seriously ill children in hospital. I’m proud to represent them at the BGC Charity Day and have had a wonderful afternoon on the trading floor and meeting some of the inspirational families the charity supports, along with some very talented Spread a Smile entertainers. It’s been an absolute pleasure and I hope that we’ve managed to raise lots of much needed awareness and funds to help ensure they can continue to share the Spread a Smile magic.” Jenna Coleman

We were also delighted that some of the families we support, along with our talented entertainers were also invited for this exciting day out at the BGC office, with treats and lots of fun and games along the way.

Spread a Smile does not receive any government funding and needs to raise £1.4million each year to continue to deliver our services spreading joy and laughter up and down the country. Support from amazing companies and individuals like BGC Group and Jenna will make a huge impact, raising much needed funds and awareness and helping us to spread even more smiles to seriously ill children, young people and their families when they need it most.

“We are so grateful to be benefitting from this year’s BGC Charity Day. Funds raised will support our work, bringing much-needed joy and laughter to critically ill children in hospital. We also owe a huge thank you to Jenna Coleman who represented Spread a Smile on the day and was joined by some inspirational families who have been supported by Spread a Smile.” Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive.

Thank you to Jenna Coleman and her team, our families and entertainers and everyone at BGC Group for all their hard work and for inviting Spread a Smile to be part of this wonderful initiative.

Every Pack Gives Back with McVitie’s BN biscuits

 780 400 Susie
By:

We are delighted to announce that McVitie’s has partnered with Spread a Smile, supporting the charity through its iconic McVitie’s BN biscuits. The partnership is a perfect fit, as the BN biscuit is well-known for its smiley face.

Not only have McVitie’s BN donated to help fund Spread a Smile’s work supporting seriously ill children in hospital, they are also including the charity’s branding and details of the partnership on in store media to raise awareness of the work we do under their ‘Every Pack Gives Back’ messaging.

McVitie’s BN biscuits made a triumphant return to shelves in January 2022, allowing fans the chance to once again ‘taste the smile’.

The first wave of the ‘Every Pack Gives Back campaign’ supporting Spread a Smile appeared in Asda stores across the country back in May 2023. A second burst of activity is planned for September, reaching into even more major retailers, including Sainsbury’s.

The return of the BN biscuits jingle “BN BN, do doo do doo-do” across several radio stations this month is also helping to raise awareness of the partnership with Spread a Smile.

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive said, “Our partnership with McVitie’s BN is an exciting opportunity for Spread a Smile. This year, our aim is to spread smiles to even more seriously ill children and their families in more hospitals and thanks to the financial support and brand awareness provided by McVitie’s, we’ll be able to do just that. We are extremely grateful to them for sharing their BN smile with us.” 

Aslı Özen Turhan, Chief Marketing Officer at pladis UK&I said: We at McVitie’s BN are proud to support Spread a Smile with the incredible work they do bringing joy to thousands of seriously ill children in hospitals and hospices across the UK. We hope the partnership with BN helps continue to bring smiles to those who need it most.”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to McVitie’s BN for their support and helping us to spread smiles far and wide.

Please get in touch with Amanda Azouz if you or your company are interested in supporting Spread a Smile and making a difference to seriously ill children in hospital. Thank you