Posts Tagged :

fundraising event

Hackney Half Marathon 2026

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On Sunday 17 May, 30 incredible #TeamSmile runners took on the HOKA Hackney Moves Half Marathon 2026, raising over £19,000 to help Spread a Smile continue bringing joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families across the country.
Team Smile was the largest to date, with individual runners joining teams from some of our corporate partners – Clarksons, Corinthia London and BC Partners –  to take on this iconic challenge in support of Spread a Smile’s vital work.
Chris Perrin, Spread a Smile Public Fundraising Manager, said, “This year Team Smile Hackney Half, raised more than ever before through their fundraising at this brilliant event – an incredible amount which could help fund over 600 bedside entertainer visits to seriously ill children and young people in hospital. A huge thank you to each and every one of our runners for their passion, commitment, determination and for helping us spread smiles where they’re needed most.”

The atmosphere throughout the day was incredible, with the Spread a Smile cheering team (including our very own Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson), joining in the fun and helping to keep our runners motivated at our Mile 6 dedicated cheer point. The celebrations continued at a post-race meet and greet at Hackney Marshes.

Our friends from Clarksons shared their motivation for supporting Spread a Smile and taking part in the challenge, saying: “Clarksons is a truly diverse organisation, with our demographics stretching across all ages, ethnicities and social backgrounds. However, one thing remains the same across all of these, we all have children in our lives which we care very deeply for – whether it be our sons, daughters, cousins, nieces, or nephews – and we at Clarksons all wish for nothing but the best for the young people in our lives.

“With that in mind, it is important to remember those not as fortunate as our loved ones, children who do not have the same opportunities to thrive and enjoy their younger years that others are afforded. This is why we chose to support Spread a Smile, a charity that aligns with our values here at Clarksons and allows us to help children who deserve the world given their truly unfortunate circumstances.

“Through our fundraising, we have been able to reflect on ourselves and the fortunate positions we, and the children in our lives, may find ourselves in. We hope our efforts in fundraising for this wonderful charity bring joy and happiness to those who most deserve it – and provide much needed relief to children and parents alike, even if just for a day. It really is a pleasure to be able to partner with yourselves and represent Spread a Smile in the Hackney Half 2026.”

Join #TeamSmile today

Feeling inspired? Sign up to join Team Smile for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11 October 2026 here and take on your own challenge in support of Spread a Smile.

5-a-side Football Tournament success

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Last Thursday saw Spread a Smile’s fifth annual 5-a-side Football Tournament take place, this time at Powerleague Shepherd’s Bush.

The sun was shining and we were delighted to welcome our teams for a competitive day of football and fun, with Spread a Smile magician Gary on hand to help keep everyone entertained in between games.

The tournament was closely fought, with Corinthia London emerging victorious and winning the cup, with Enra Specialist Finance coming a close second. Also congratulations to BN McVitie’s who won the plate.

Imogen Slazenger, Spread a Smile’s Head of Fundraising attended on the day saying, “It was a pleasure to welcome so many supporters and new friends for this brilliant event. A huge thank you to all everyone who joined us for their energy, enthusiasm and commitment helping to raise thousands of pounds to support our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families when they’re needed most. We hope to see you back next year!”

Please get in touch with Alicia by emailing alicia@spreadasmile.org to find out more about next year’s football tournament or how you can support one of our other events.

Amazing line-up for Spread a Smile Comedy Night

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For 2024 the extremely popular Spread a Smile Comedy Night, hosted and curated by the charity’s Ambassador Suzi Ruffell, will return on Tuesday 7 May to The Comedy Store, London.

Generously sponsored by Canary Wharf Contractors and Texel Foundation, the event features a brilliant line up of famously funny faces including Josh Widdicombe, Iain Stirling, Sara Barron, Sindhu Vee and Amy Annette.

“As a Spread a Smile Ambassador, I’m proud to do what I can to support the charity’s brilliant work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and young people and I’ve seen first hand the difference they make. I’m excited to be hosting another exciting Comedy Night at The Comedy Store to help raise vital funds to support Spread a Smile’s work. I’ll once again be joined by some legends of comedy to spread some smiles and raise as much as possible on the night for a very worthwhile cause. We hope you’ll join us!” Suzi Ruffell

Last year’s Comedy Night was a huge success with 400 guests joining us for an incredible night of stand-up comedy. Tickets are on sale for £28 each from The Comedy Store and are selling out fast.

Get your tickets now!

“We’re so proud to continue to sponsor the Spread a Smile’s Comedy Night each year. It’s set to be another great evening and we’re pleased to be able to support it and the brilliant work the charity does spreading smiles to seriously ill children.” Alec Vallintine, Managing Director – Construction at Canary Wharf Group.

As always a huge thank you to Suzi for generously giving up her time and curating such a wonderful initiative and to all of her fellow comedians. All proceeds will support Spread a Smile’s work spreading joy and laughter to seriously ill children in hospitals across the UK.

Save the date! Our second Comedy Night will take place on Monday 4 November also at The Comedy Store.