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Co-Founder

Josephine Segal: Co-Founder and Lifetime President

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Co-Founder, Josephine Segal MBE became Spread a Smile’s Lifetime President in September 2025, after stepping back from her role on the Board and from her regular day-to-day involvement. This honorary role celebrates Josephine’s extraordinary contribution to Spread a Smile and ensures she will always remain part of our story, continuing to be a cherished presence.

Spread a Smile was founded out of Josephine’s deeply personal response to her nephew Aaron’s illness. Together with Co-Founder Vanessa Crocker MBE, she transformed that experience into something remarkable – a charity that now brings laughter, joy and comfort to thousands of seriously ill children and their families each year. The values Josephine and Vanessa set from the very beginning – compassion, professionalism, respect, empathy and warmth – remain at the heart of everything we do.

Right up until her retirement, Josephine, along with her therapy dog, Buddy, regularly joined our team of entertainers on visits to seriously ill children in hospital, helping to spread smiles and joy.

We are incredibly grateful for all that Josephine has given – her love, her heart and her vision. Spread a Smile simply would not be what it is today without her.

“Spread a Smile will forever be in my heart and I look forward to following its journey with pride. I want to thank my darling nephew Aaron, his brothers and family who inspired Spread a Smile, my Co-Founder Vanessa, family, friends, Trustees, team, entertainers, volunteers, supporters, hospital partners and most importantly the children and families who welcomed us into their lives during such difficult times.” Josephine Segal MBE

Find out more about how Josephine and Vanessa started Spread a Smile back in 2013 here.

Honouring our Co-Founder, Josephine Segal

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By:

Our Co-Founder and Trustee, Josephine Segal, has decided to step back from her role on the Board of Spread a Smile and from her regular day-to-day involvement in the charity. While this has been a difficult decision for Josephine, it is one that comes with confidence in the strength of Spread a Smile today and optimism for its future.

Spread a Smile was founded out of Josephine’s deeply personal response to her nephew Aaron’s illness. Together with Co-Founder Vanessa Crocker, she transformed that experience into something remarkable – a charity that now brings laughter, joy and comfort to thousands of seriously ill children and their families each year. The values Josephine and Vanessa set from the very beginning – compassion, professionalism, respect, empathy and warmth – remain at the heart of everything we do.

Josephine herself reflects: “What began as a deeply personal response to my nephew Aaron’s illness has grown into something truly remarkable. Spread a Smile will forever be in my heart and I look forward to following its journey with pride. As I step away after 13 years, I want to thank my darling nephew Aaron, his brothers and family who inspired Spread a Smile, my Co-Founder Vanessa, family, friends, Trustees, team, entertainers, volunteers, supporters, hospital partners and most importantly the children and families who welcomed us into their lives during such difficult times.”

From 30 September, Josephine will take on the honorary role of Lifetime President of Spread a Smile, a title that celebrates her extraordinary contribution and ensures she will always remain part of our story. Although she will no longer hold formal responsibility as a Trustee, Josephine will continue to be a cherished presence, following our journey with pride and love.

Vanessa will remain closely involved as Co-Founder and Trustee, continuing to bring her passion and vision. Josephine’s husband, Richard Segal, will also continue as a valued Trustee, helping guide the charity forward.

We are incredibly grateful for all that Josephine has given – her love, her heart and her vision. Spread a Smile simply would not be what it is today without her. Though we will miss her daily presence, we step forward with optimism, inspired by the legacy she leaves and the bright future ahead.