News

Our October e-newsletter is here

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Our October e-newsletter is here!

It’s been a busy month of spreading smiles – from celebrating Play in Healthcare Week to hosting our Lilo & Stitch half-term family events.

We also announced an exciting new fundraising challenge for 2026: the Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) Triathlon, in partnership with Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Plus, we held our fantastic Annual Golf Days and a hugely successful Entertainer Variety Show.

Read our October e-newsletter here.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive all things Spread a Smile directly to your inbox each month.

Half-Term Events for Families

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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During October half-term, we were delighted to host two very special events for the families we support,  made possible thanks to support from our incredible supporters and partners.

A Creative Day at The LEGO Group’s London Office

On Monday 28 October, 17 families joined us at the LEGO Group’s London Office in London for a fabulous Lilo & Stitch-themed day. We’re proud to have been working with our friends from the LEGO Group for a number of years through a range of family events, volunteering opportunities and support initiatives. Families enjoyed a packed schedule of activities, including hands-on LEGO® building, arts and crafts, face painting, and magical entertainment from one of Spread a Smile’s brilliant magicians. There were also plenty of delicious treats to keep energy levels high.

It was a wonderful day of creativity and fun, with the LEGO volunteers brilliantly leading each activity and engaging with the patients and their families. It was filled with joyful, special family moments – something that can be hard to find when managing everything that comes with serious illness.

Lilo & Stitch at Everyman Cinema

Later in the week, 20 families joined us at Everyman Cinema, London for another Lilo & Stitch-themed event watching the brand-new live-action film. Before the screening, families were treated to a lively pre-screen party with magic from one of Spread a Smile’s amazing entertainers, singing, a quiz, and, of course, pizza and snacks for everyone to enjoy. The experience gave families a chance to enjoy the simple magic of a trip to the cinema – something that can often be out of reach while navigating treatment schedules and hospital stays.

We know that school holidays can add extra layers when looking after children, so our events and virtual sessions aim to support families with seriously ill children during these times, giving access to fun and distracting activities and a chance for families to make memories and spend quality time.

Our thanks to the LEGO Group for their ongoing and valuable support, helping us create such wonderfully engaging events for the families we work with. Also, to Everyman Cinema always making our VIP guests feel so welcome.

Want to receive our news directly to your inbox? Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter here.

 

 

Fundraiser of the Month: Paul Blyth

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We’re delighted to celebrate Paul Blyth as our October Fundraiser of the Month for his incredible achievement cycling the length of Portugal on the famous N2 route – from Chaves to Faro. Over six gruelling days, Paul covered an astonishing 458 miles, climbing more than 31,700 feet – higher than Mount Everest.

Here’s what Paul had to say about his achievement:

“ Last week was the Ride Portugal N2 Chaves to Faro. 6 days, 458 miles, 31,742 feet with a riding time of 32 hours and 20 minutes. I am not going to lie, it was pretty tough, but I did train hard, and it paid off, and the added motivation of fundraising for Spread a Smile, kept the legs turning and the smile on my face. It really was the trip of a lifetime!

“It has been an absolute pleasure doing this for Spread a Smile and thank you all for your support, kind wishes, and motivational calls before the event. I am really very, very grateful!.”

A huge congratulations to Paul on completing his journey, and our deepest thanks for his hard work and incredible fundraising – raising an amazing £6,000, including funds from a quiz night and SCOR’s contribution. Thanks to this incredible support, we can continue our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children through in-person entertainer hospital visits, family events, and online sessions across our 39 NHS hospital partners.

Feeling inspired?
Why not take on your own challenge? Find out more about our upcoming Yr Wydffa (Snowdon) Triathlon Challenge, in partnership with Alder Hey Children’s Charity, taking place on 12 September 2026.

 

Free will writing service

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October marks Wills Month, a time to consider the importance of planning for the future, and Spread a Smile has teamed up with probate experts, Farewill, to provide a free will writing service for our supporters.

Writing a will provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones and ensures your wishes are honoured. It also offers a unique opportunity to leave a meaningful legacy to support a cause close to your heart.

As a charity, we receive no government funding and rely entirely on the generosity of our supporters and partners. These contributions enable us to continue providing entertainer hospital visits, family events, art initiatives and virtual sessions – moments of happiness that make a real difference during challenging times.

Whether large or small, your gift will help us reach more children and families across the country, offering vital moments of connection and joy and spreading smiles when they are needed most. You can find out more about the families we support and the impact your gift will make here.

Start your Will making journey with us today and leave a lasting legacy to ensure Spread a Smile can continue to provide our vital services for years to come. Thank you.

 

 

 

Variety Show a sell-out success

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Last night, we were thrilled to host our second Entertainer Variety Show at the Camden Club in London. The evening was a brilliant celebration of the incredible talent of our entertainers, who work so hard year-round to bring joy to seriously ill children and their families.

From in-person hospital visits to our 39 NHS hospital partners, to virtual visits and family events, our entertainers play a vital role in everything we do at Spread a Smile – spreading smiles where they’re needed most. This special evening was a chance to put them centre stage, to celebrate their talents and the joy they bring to others, and to share that magic with their friends and loved ones.

Guests were treated to an incredible line-up of performances, including comedy songs from Kerry, show-stopping singing from duo Ellie and Jasmin, music from Betty, Rosie and Joanna, and the vintage harmonies of The Wild Tonics. The magic continued with mind-blowing illusions from Amy, Lou, Sacha and Gary, spontaneous poetry by Judge the Poet, and an unforgettable performance from ventriloquist Chris and his cheeky sidekick, Nana. It was a night to remember, filled with so much talent and entertainment.

Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive at Spread a Smile, said: “We are so proud to have brought our second entertainer Variety Show to the Camden Club, London. It was an honour to watch our talented entertainers light up the stage and bring so much joy and wonderful to see our team and supporters come together for an uplifting evening of music, laughter and fun, all to raise vital funds to help us continue spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families.”

A huge thank you to our amazing entertainer, Sar for being the driving force behind the event, and to our brilliant comperes, Aaron and Dov for bringing so much energy to the evening. We’re also incredibly grateful to the Camden Club for generously hosting us and helping to make the night such a success.

All proceeds from ticket sales will help us continue our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children, young people and their families and our thanks go to everyone who bought tickets, performed and joined us on the night.

Coming up next: Our Annual Comedy Night
Join us on Monday 17 November for our Comedy Night at The Comedy Store, London, hosted by Spread a Smile Ambassador Suzi Ruffell, with performances from Tom Allen, Rhys James and Harriet Kemsley. Tickets are selling fast, so book yours today.

 

Jon hall Trustee

Welcome new trustee: Jon Hall

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We are delighted to welcome Jon Hall, Group Managing Director at OSB Group, to the Spread a Smile Board of Trustees as Treasurer Trustee.

Having qualified as a chartered accountant with PwC, Jon has spent most of his Executive career in financial services, including CFO then CEO of a Building Society and as Manging Director launched a new challenger bank.

For the past 4 years, Jon has held the role of Treasurer Trustee of LittleLifts, a charity whose purpose is supporting every person affected by breast cancer in the UK, providing a free LittleLifts gift box when they start treatment.

Jon has been a corporate partner of Spread a Smile for the past 10 years including participating personally in fundraising, saying: “Having spent several years as a passionate supporter of Spread a Smile, seeing the amazing positive impact the team have on the lives of seriously ill children and their families, I’m delighted and privileged to be able to take on the role as Treasurer Trustee to support in helping the charity go from strength to strength.”

Lucy Jackson, Spread a Smile Chief Executive added, “Jon has been a wonderful friend and supporter of Spread a Smile for a number of years, and it is a pleasure to develop our relationship further and to welcome him to our Board of Trustees. Jon brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise that will no doubt have a hugely positive impact for Spread a Smile. Thank you to Jon and all of our Trustees for their commitment and support.”

Meet Spread a Smile’s Board of Trustees here.

Royal parks half marathon 2025 spread a smile

Team Smile takes the Royal Parks Half Marathon

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Looking for the 2026 Royal Parks Half Marathon? Click here for our 2026 Charity Places and Ballot Info.

Missed out on the ballot? You can still be on that start line. Skip the uncertainty of the public draw and take a guaranteed charity entry with Spread a Smile. Enjoy vibrant crowds, an incredible atmosphere, and some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Its scenic, predominantly flat course makes it a fantastic choice for both first-time runners and experienced half-marathoners alike. By joining Team Smile, you’ll help raise vital funds to support our work bringing joy to seriously ill children in NHS hospitals across the country.

Read more below about our previous Royal Parks Half Marathon runners for Spread a Smile and get inspired today

On Sunday 12 October, 50 incredible runners proudly represented Spread a Smile at the Royal Parks Half Marathon – one of the UK’s most-loved running events.

Our amazing #TeamSmile runners took on the 13.1-mile route through four of London’s Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens, with every step raising funds to support our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

Spread a Smile Co-Founder Vanessa Crocker, Chief Executive Officer Lucy Jackson, and members of the team were there on the day to cheer, support, and celebrate each runner’s achievement.

Tasha Mann, Spread a Smile Community Fundraising Manager, said

“To each and every person who ran for Team Smile – thank you. It was incredible to see such a brilliant group come together to raise vital funds for our work. We know how much goes into preparing for an event like this, the training, the fundraising, and the determination it takes on the day itself – and we hope you’re proud of everything you’ve achieved. You’ve helped us bring so much joy to seriously ill children and their families.”

We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who trained, fundraised, and ran as part of Team Smile. Your support means a great deal and helps us reach even more children facing difficult times, and we hope you join us again for another challenge event in the future.

Feeling inspired?
Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to hear about exciting challenge events coming in 2026.

Play in Healthcare week spread a smile 2025

Play in Healthcare Week

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Play in Healthcare Week 2025

Play in Healthcare Week (PIHW – formerly known as Play in Hospital Week) is a special week which raises awareness of the benefits and importance of play in healthcare settings.

At Spread a Smile, we believe that play is integral to a child’s health, wellbeing and development. For children facing illness and time in hospital, away from friends, family and everything they know, play can be difficult to access. This is where Spread a Smile comes in; offering opportunities for play and moments of joy, connection, and normalcy in an otherwise clinical and often frightening environment.

Recent research reinforces what Spread a Smile has long known: play is an essential part of a child’s health and wellbeing, and its presence in healthcare settings can transform the experience of young patients. Despite this recognition, play often remains undervalued and under resourced in healthcare settings.

This Play in Healthcare Week, Spread a Smile will support our NHS hospital partners to help bring the joy of play into the hospital setting, including a schedule of regular in-person partner visits, a special one-off visit to Hillingdon Hospital, a cupcake decorating workshop at UCLH and more.

Spread a Smile’s talented entertainers will create meaningful opportunities for play that brighten hospital wards, providing opportunities for pain distraction and engagement and space for children just to be children again.

A scoping review by the University of Cambridge’s PEDAL Centre and Starlight Children’s Foundation highlights that play “can profoundly influence children’s experience of receiving healthcare and their perception of being well amidst health adversity”. Play helps reduce stress and anxiety, fosters emotional resilience, and even supports physical recovery. It allows children to process their emotions, gain a sense of control, and find comfort during challenging times.

As the UK government develops its 10-year health plan with a focus on creating “the healthiest generation of children ever”, Spread a Smile champions the vital role of play and joy in children’s healthcare. Every day, we witness its’ transformative impact and of laughter, creativity and connection on a child’s wellbeing. Our vision is for every seriously ill child in hospital to have access to play and moments of joy and no child feels alone in their journey. Please consider making a donation to help us do just that.

Spread a Smile has lots planned for Play in Healthcare Week…

A joyful start at Hillingdon Hospital
We will launch the week with a very special visit to Hillingdon Hospital in Uxbridge, Spread a Smile entertainers Louise and Colette will spend the day visiting young patients with incredible balloon models, music and plenty of smiles.

An extra-special visit to John Radcliffe Hospital
As part of our expanded efforts for PIHW, we will be proud to arrange an additional visit to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Our entertainers will visit young patients across all inpatient and outpatient wards with personalised bedside visits including musical performances and magic shows to suit each young patient’s individual needs.

Cupcake creativity at UCH, thanks to Lola’s
Over at University College Hospital (UCH) in London, PIHW celebrations will continue with a delicious twist. Thanks to our friends at Lola’s Cupcakes, we will host hands-on cupcake decorating sessions, with young patients being able to design and decorate their own treats. These workshops provide a chance for children to express themselves, take a break from the clinical environment, and have some fun during their hospital stay.

Spread a Smile’s Director of Services, Laura Walter, said

“Play in Hospital Week is a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the work we do and the values we hold at Spread a Smile – bringing fun, creativity and laughter into hospitals to help ease the clinical environment. Through our additional visits this week, we’ve been able to reach even more children and families, offering moments of joy when they’re needed most.

We’re so grateful to the hospitals and play teams we partner with for their tireless dedication to young patients, and to our supporters, entertainers and partners like Lola’s Cupcakes for helping make this week so special. PIHW 2025 is a powerful reminder of the vital role play continues to have in a child’s care, especially during life’s most challenging times.”

Play in Hospital Week is a powerful celebration of the vital role play has for the wellbeing of children facing long periods in hospital, and we’re grateful to Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Society of Health Play Specialists  (SoHPS) for their essential work in championing it.

Want to stay up to date with all things Spread a Smile? Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter here and receive our latest news directly to your inbox.

 

Spread a smile Comedy Night 2025

Comedy Night Line-up Announced

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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We’re excited to reveal the incredible line-up for this year’s Spread a Smile Comedy Night, returning to The Comedy Store, London on Monday 17 November 2025.

Taking to the stage will be an outstanding roster of talent, including Tom Allen, Rhys James, and Harriet Kemsley, with more brilliant names to be announced soon. The night will once again be hosted and curated by our wonderful Ambassador, Suzi Ruffell, promising an unforgettable evening of laughter – all in support of Spread a Smile.

Now in its sixth year, the Comedy Night is a much-loved highlight in our events calendar and is proudly sponsored by Texel Foundation and Enra.

Tickets are on sale now and all proceeds will help us spread even more smiles to seriously ill children and young people in hospital.

In November 2024 Suzi was joined by the amazing Tom Allen, Nish Kumar, Chantel Nash, Jack Skipper and Ania Magliano for a fantastic evening of laughs, smiles and also magic, thanks to a special appearance from former BGT winner, the military mind reader Richard Jones. So far over £100,000 has been raised through this brilliant event, helping to fund our work spreading smiles in 39 NHS hospitals and 6 hospices across the country.

Buy your tickets here

Event: Spread a Smile Comedy Night
Date: Monday 17 November 2025
Venue: The Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon St, London SW1Y 4EE
Ticket price: £30

Sign up to our monthly e-newsletter to stay up to date with all things Spread a Smile.

 

world smile day spread a smile

Spreading Smiles for World Smile Day

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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As part of our World Smile Day fundraising and awareness initiative, last week was full of so much joy and laughter as we reached our target of spreading over 800 smiles in just one week to seriously ill children, their families, and the healthcare professionals who care for them.

Our entertainers carried out an amazing 21 visits to 14 NHS hospitals, including visits to St George’s Hospital, Tooting, The Christie in Manchester and the Paediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) at King’s College Hospital.

We organised a bespoke visit for teenage patients at University College Hospital London (UCLH), a pamper day for parents and carers at Evelina Children’s Hospital, a brilliant cupcake decorating session for young patients at St Mary’s Hospital thanks to the amazing Lola’s Cupcakes and were delighted to welcome Pan-n-Ice on our visit to UCLH to deliver some of their delicious ice-cream rolls. Our thanks go to both Lola’s Cupcakes and Pan-n-Ice for their support and also to our wonderful friends from the LEGO Group who joined us at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) to provide opportunities for creative play and fun using the iconic LEGO® bricks.

We ended the week with our largest ever visit to GOSH, visiting all inpatients and outpatient wards, and spreading so much fun, magic and laughter to everyone we met.

World Smile Day is a chance for the world to take time to smile and feel the benefits that a smile can bring. Our supporters and friends shared their smiles with us on social media, helping to spread even more smiles around the world and we are so grateful to everyone who helped spread the word and supported our activities across our socials networks.

A huge thank you to everyone who supported World Smile Day 2025 – our incredible partners and all those who donated to ensure we can continue to spread even more smiles in the months to come.

We’re incredibly proud to have celebrated our biggest World Smile Day to date and are looking forward to next year and how we can make this initiative even bigger and better. If you or your company would like to partner with us to help make this happen, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Lucy Chesney, our Head of Partnerships at lucychesney@spreadasmile.org to find out more.

Although World Smile Day has passed, we’ll keep spreading smiles throughout the year and it’s not too late to set up a regular gift to help us deliver our upcoming seasonal activities including our Christmas Smile Hampers, hospital treat drops and our Winter Party.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped us spread a smile for World Smile Day 2025!