Jenna Coleman spreads smiles at BGC Charity Day
https://spreadasmile.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/BGC-Charity-Day-2023-780x400-1.jpg 683 350 Susie Susie https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df35034d6e0dc0a34b96e2cbd5d9df5b1604bbb302409c0dcb03b9fd2cadd967?s=96&d=mm&r=gSpread 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.



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.
“It was such a good thing for both of us – throwing balls for the dogs, having cuddles, learning magic tricks and creating something in art. Hannah would become very poorly whilst on chemotherapy, so we weren’t allowed home at weekends and spent six weeks away from home and family in London. Meeting Spread a Smile would break up the week and give Hannah (and me) so many moments of laughter, happiness and enjoyment. 

When a child is ill in hospital, so many day-to-day childhood experiences are lost. Our aim is to bring back some of those experiences, taking them into hospital and helping children to smile and escape from what is going on around them for a little while.
Meet Debbie Tropp who has been a Spread a Smile Visit Manager for seven years and read on to find out more about her work.
What’s more, Pan-n-Ice have recently launched a brand new, exclusive ice cream flavour in support of Spread a Smile.
This year we were joined by Amelia, Ridha and Ahmed along with their seven siblings and parents for four days, where they participated in many activities, such as pony riding, canoeing, forest school and meeting rescue dogs. They also created beautiful pieces of art with our incredible artist Marina, played many games, and enjoyed nightly campfires with music and singing. Our lovely aromatherapist, Priya, also helped everyone to unwind and relax with massage and aromatherapy treatments.
“It was wonderful to have time away as a family to escape from treatments and hospital and it really gave us the time to breathe. The Spread a Smile team are beyond amazing. They are just so understanding, warm and gentle with the children. It was so lovely to see and also to get a chance to have a rest as an adult.”
Every month, the team from Little Learners help to create a very special learning experience for young children on the wards, exploring tuff trays full of wet and dry ingredients, mark making to help build strong core muscles and encourage first steps towards writing, plus fun activities such as drawing, sorting, building and much more.