Aaron Maurice
Aaron has strong personal connections with Spread a Smile as the charity was co-founded 11 years ago by his aunt, Josephine Segal and her friend, Vanessa Crocker. Aaron had been diagnosed with cancer, spending five long months receiving treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was after Josephine surprised Aaron with a magician at his hospital bedside that she realised the impact the entertainment made for her nephew, seeing him smiling and laughing again. Josephine made a promise that she would arrange more magicians and entertainers to see more children in hospital to support them through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Aaron said “Spread a Smile means a huge amount to me as I have watched the charity grow from an idea to an award-winning organisation, run by a team of extremely special and talented people. more less
Varun Shradhanand Mahatme
Varun spent several months in hospital in London when he was aged 11, receiving treatment for stage 4 Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, which was in his spine. Varum was far from home, friends and family when he began his treatment and was supported throughout his treatment journey by Spread a Smile.
Varun said, “I was just 11years old when I was diagnosed with cancer and the reality of my situation really hit me hard. On my first night on the ward whilst awaiting my chemotherapy, I listened to the doctors trying to resuscitate a little girl who had an unexpected cardiac arrest. She sadly passed away and this left me overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. It was all I could think about. It was at this time that Spread a Smile had started visiting my hospital ward and this is when I met the Spread a Smile team. more less