Your Stories

Eliza was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when she was just 8 weeks old, sadly passing away just before she was 8 months old from liver disease following her chemotherapy. Eliza’s Mum Hannah shared the difference Spread a Smile has made to her family, whilst Eliza was in hospital at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and since Eliza passed away in February 2023.

“We met Spread a Smile one Thursday on our first visit to GOSH. It was an awful time as we didn’t know what was wrong with Eliza to start with and we were stuck in a hospital room, worrying and not knowing anyone to talk to. And then one of the Spread a Smile entertainers came in with her guitar and sang for us. Eliza was transfixed and it was so, so wonderful to see.

“From then on, every Thursday we would see the Spread a Smile entertainers and although Eliza was very young, she would absolutely love the singing. We also met magicians who would come and do magic tricks for my husband and I, which we both really enjoyed. It was nice to have something for us and we also got to know Josephine, one of the charity’s co-founders, and we were so grateful for their support on those Thursdays.  

“In January 2023 Eliza was in GOSH for high dose chemo and I saw a Spread a Smile flyer about a family visit to see ‘Sing’ at the Everyman Cinema in London. We had three other boys at that time (we now have four!) and thought it would be the perfect thing for us to do together as a family as I’d rarely seen the boys over the past two months. So, we arranged for them to come into London for the day, and I don’t think we have ever felt so looked after and cared for as we did by Spread a Smile that day. The boys had never felt so special, and we were welcomed with open arms, treated to food, treats and entertainment before sitting down to watch the film together. I literally cried the whole time – just seeing us all together having such a special day out in amongst it all. That evening, I went back to the hospital and lay next to Eliza in bed. I made an Instagram reel of the photos of our day together. I cried all over again remembering how it felt to just be a normal family again, connecting and enjoying time together. It was truly amazing.

“Eliza died unexpectedly a few weeks later from a liver disease caused by the chemo. We went home and started to navigate life again after loss. And then in March 2024, Spread a Smile invited us to a Memorial Event to remember children who had passed away and it was such a lovely thing to do. After Eliza died, so much support fell away because it is understandably often directed towards families going through treatment. But that’s hard when you lose a child as you can suddenly feel very alone. The Memorial Event was a wonderful opportunity to remember Eliza and I cried through the whole thing, also knowing that the boys were so looked after by the entertainers there. At one point, I heard my son Jesse laughing so loudly I panicked as I thought he was crying and upset. But when I ran over, I found him laughing so hard with one of the Spread a Smile magicians and having the best possible time. When you’re just trying to keep going through grief, hearing your child laugh means everything.

“In the Summer of 2024 we went to our first Spread a Smile Summer Party and it was truly wonderful. I took three of the boys on my own and we had such a brilliant day. The Spread a Smile team are always so supportive, and the day was such a treat. Going to these events means we can stay connected with Eliza, with the charity that helped her and us whilst she was ill and in hospital. It is a way of reconnecting with the lovely people we met from the charity during that time. Eliza was unwell for most of her short life and our time with her was all about hospitals and the people we met there. This year all six of us will be at the Summer Party and it will be our way of reconnecting with Spread a Smile and remembering our time with Eliza. 

“It takes a lot being a family with four young boys, managing grief alongside the day to day of school, friendships and everything in between. We often struggle to get out. Being able to go to things like the Summer Party is wonderful as we are so well looked after and don’t need to worry about finances, or the day-to-day stresses of life. We can just be together as a family, enjoy ourselves and remember Eliza with love, alongside the lovely people from Spread a Smile who have truly made us smile and still do to this day.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children and young people like Eliza and their families by donating today. Thank you.

For Siblings Day 2025, Mum Sadia kindly shares her daughters, Yusra and Nusrah’s story with us…

“Nusrah was diagnosed with Dravet syndrome when she was about three years old. It was a difficult and overwhelming time, as we were suddenly thrown into a world of medical appointments, treatments, and constant worry.

“Dravet syndrome is a rare and severe form of epilepsy that affects multiple aspects of Nusrah’s life, from mobility to learning and communication. Over the years, we’ve had to navigate various therapies, medications, and specialist support to help Nusrah manage her condition.

“We were first introduced to Spread a Smile during one of Nusrah’s hospital stays. The charity poster was on the wall, and we decided to explore what they offered. From the very first interaction, we felt a warmth and understanding that was so needed during such a challenging time. The joy and positivity they brought into our lives, especially for Yusra, have been incredible.

“Yusra’s experience as a sibling is one of the most beautiful aspects of Spread a Smile and how they include and support siblings. Yusra, being six years old, has grown up in an environment where much of the focus is on Nusrah ‘s medical needs. She adores her sister, but there are moments when the reality of having a sibling with complex needs can be tough for her. Spread a Smile has given Yusra something just for her—something that acknowledges her feelings, gives her joy, and allows her to be a child without the weight of responsibility.

“Yusra has taken part in online group sessions, interactive activities, and fun virtual events such as arts and crafts, singing, storytelling, magic sessions, LEGO games, drama games and spending time with entertainers who make her laugh. These moments have given her an escape, a space where she is seen and valued in her own right. She loves the creativity of the sessions and always looks forward to them.

“The difference Spread a Smile has made for our family and the impact they have had goes beyond the activities. They have provided us with moments of normality, joy, and respite — things that can be hard to come by when dealing with a complex medical condition. Seeing Nusrah and Yusra smile together, engaged in something fun, is priceless.

“The charity has given Yusra a sense of belonging, helping her understand that she is not alone in her experiences as a sibling of a child with additional needs. She has learnt to be social and creative and outspoken when it comes to taking part in the group sessions as well as the one2one sessions. Most importantly, they have helped Yusra feel special.

“In a world where much of the attention naturally goes to Nusrah’s care, Spread a Smile has ensured that Yusra also feels important, loved, and celebrated. And as parents, that means everything.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children and young people like Yusra, Nusrah and their families by donating today. Thank you.

When Brett was two and a half years old, he kept spiking a temperature at night, returning to normal during the day. His parents were worried so took him to hospital where repeated blood tests over time revealed slightly increased levels of the alanine transaminase (ALT) enzyme and subsequently higher level of a muscle enzyme. Brett was referred to The Evelina Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed at the age of five with a rare muscle condition which causes hypermobile and increased limb rotation.

Mum Victoria said, “It was an extremely scary time as it took a while to establish what was going on whilst hearing it could be his kidneys or other rare and serious conditions. We spent a lot of time in and out of hospital for blood tests and were referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where there was a specialist in his group of conditions. His condition is extremely rare and only 1 in 50,000 have it.

“Brett started treatment and infusions every two weeks at GOSH to proactively try and prevent damage to his muscles. It meant extremely long days, with us leaving the house at around 6am to get to GOSH for 9am and not leaving until 11pm at night. We were juggling school and also having a Brett’s sister Ella, who was only young at the time.

“We first met Spread a Smile on one of these visits to GOSH and it couldn’t have been at a better time. Brett often found treatment very distressing and we’d had a particularly difficult time, with him getting very upset and his sister Ella getting scared by what was happening. Then Spread a Smile knocked on our door and helped to distract them both from what was happening. They sang and did some magic and made little bracelets with the children. The mood lifted and it was such a relief.

Brett also added his thoughts, saying, “I have a rare muscle condition, and I am really flexible. Spread a Smile are always there when you need them. When I was in hospital at first and I was scared, Spread a Smile walked in and cheered me up.”

Mum Victoria continued, “From then we would see the Spread a Smile entertainers every time we were in hospital and got to know them quite well. They always helped to bring some fun and distraction to our visits. If I had to stay with Brett during treatment whilst he was getting upset, Spread a Smile would do a virtual session with Ella in another room and it was amazing that she had something fun and positive to do.”

“In February 2024, Brett started homecare treatment meaning he don’t have to go to hospital so regularly which is brilliant. But the downside is that we don’t get to see Spread a Smile! I wanted to do something just for Brett so I reached out to them to ask about guitar lessons. He already had a guitar and he now has virtual lessons with Al or Cassie from Spread a Smile every two weeks. They are absolutely fantastic and Brett loves them. They give him something to look forward to and focus on and a break for me at the same time.

Brett also shared more about his homecare treatment saying, “I have an assistance dog called Eevee and she helps me when I need my medicine. I put one hand on Eevee and she lays on my lap and I cover my eyes and countdown from five. I love taking Eevee for walks and whenever I need her I give her a cuddle and she helps make me feel better.

“When I was little, I had to have lots of blood tests in my hand which were painful. Now I have homecare I don’t have the medicine trolley and can wear my backpack and play just like other children. I love learning to play the guitar with Spread a Smile.”

Spread a Smile has also supported Brett and his family through our family events and outings with Victoria saying, “We’ve also gone to some brilliant Spread a Smile family events such as an Everyman Cinema trip, a LEGO event and their winter Party. It’s been great for us to do something as a family and for Brett to meet and see other children life him who are having home treatment. At the last Winter Party he saw another child with a medication backpack saying, ‘Look Mummy, another child like me.

“I’ve been able to speak to other parents at the events who can empathise with what we’re going through and I met a Mum who also had a young baby when their other child had been diagnosed. We talked about having to juggle roles as a Mummy to a young baby and as a medical parent to the other child and it was so comforting to share our experiences.

“Brett’s diagnosis comes with some challenges on what he can do physically, but through the guitar he has found confidence and a passion for something he’s good at. He says it makes him unique and he really is an incredible young man.

“For Rare Disease Day on 28 February, Brett’s school are celebrating and fundraising for Spread a Smile. All of the children will dress up in the colours of Spread a Smile and donate to help other unwell children. It’ll be a really special day and I’m so proud of Brett and everything he does.”

Brett added, “Spread a Smile make me smile, like at the Winter Party. Whenever I am with them, they make me happy.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children and young people like Brett and their families by donating today. Thank you.

At the end of December 2022, when Alexia was just 9 years old, she began to feel very unwell. She experienced varying symptoms from insomnia to severe headaches, stomach problems, loss of appetite, physical weakness and personality changes. She also began to drink excessive amounts of water at night and had an insatiable thirst. Her mum, Alana, took her back and forth to the Doctors and A&E where they carried out various tests over 10 weeks to figure out what was going on, but all the results were within normal range.

By the end of February 2023, Alexia was unable to eat anything without being sick and began to lose a significant amount of weight. The doctors thought that she might be suffering from anxiety or was being bullied at school or maybe had a food allergy. In March 2023, she came home from school and said she was unable to see the board clearly, her parents found this strange as she had an eye test the previous week and the results for this was normal.

Mum Alana said, “I was sitting next to Alexia on the sofa at home and she told me that she couldn’t see me and could only see half of her Dad, who was sitting opposite her. At this point we knew that something was seriously wrong.

“We went back to the Optician who had seen her the previous week, and he told us to go to the Doctor and to call him when we were there so he could speak to the Doctor directly. We were referred immediately to a specialist Ophthalmologist at the hospital who confirmed that the health of Alexia’s eyes was fine, however there had been a change in her vision which was not normal.”

Alexia’s Mum took Alexia back to A&E where Alexia began to vomit and was admitted to the ward for further testing. The next day she fainted and by that afternoon she could only see a pinhole. A second MRI was taken of Alexia’s head (this time using dye), which revealed a tumour on Alexia’s pituitary gland which was touching her optic nerves and affecting her vision.

“It was our worst nightmare come to life and as I listened to the doctor telling us this news, it felt like an out of body experience. I could not believe that this was happening to us.”

Alexia was transferred immediately by ambulance to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St George’s Hospital and the children’s ward, where she lived for the next three months. During this time, she underwent her first brain surgery which took six and a half hours. The surgeons tried to remove the tumour however they decided it was too high a risk. Instead, he took a biopsy and drained some of the fluid around the tumour relieving some of the pressure on the optic nerve with the aim to improve her vision.

‘We were relieved that some of Lexi’s vision returned but we were devastated that the surgery was not successful.” 

The results of the biopsy showed that Alexia had a rare mixed germ cell tumour and she spent the next three months living in hospital as her medical team worked out a treatment plan and next steps. During this time Alexia’s vision started to deteriorate again. She was given an emergency round of chemotherapy to see if the tumour would respond and spent the next months in the Royal Marsden in Sutton receiving intense chemotherapy treatment. In between her treatment cycles she would be allowed to go home however, she would often become unwell and had to be admitted back to St Georges Hospital in the children’s oncology ward.

‘To say our world was literally turned upside down would be an understatement. It was an extremely traumatic and upsetting time for us all but especially Alexia as she was often in isolation because of the high risk of infection so she could not see many of her friends or family.

“When we told Alexia that she had a brain tumour, her first question was ‘Am I going to die?’. She was worried that everybody who gets cancer dies. It was such a difficult time for the whole family, but it was even more traumatic for Alexia when she lost her hair. Despite all this, she always tried to smile through her pain and put on her ‘brave’ face.”

In August 2023, Alexia had brain surgery for the second time. This time with the purpose to remove as much of the tumour as was safely possible. After five hours in surgery, her neurosurgeon was confident, that despite the dangerous position of the tumour, they had managed to remove most of it.  The surgery was successful and subsequent MRI and CT scans showed that most of the tumour had been removed.

Her treatment continued in the months that followed where she underwent daily Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) at the University College London Hospital (UCLH).

“During our journey, we always noticed the Spread a Smile entertainers visiting, but it was when we were at UCLH that we really got to know them. They would attend the PBT children’s ward every Friday and all the children especially Alexia would look forward to their visit.”

Alexia loved taking part in the weekly art classes and really enjoyed the days when Buddy the therapy dog would visit. The visits from the therapy dog was one of the things that impacted Alexia the most. Many times, when she was admitted to hospital and was so weak that she could not move much, she would ask for the therapy dog to lie next to her on the bed and she would stroke him. His warmth and gentle nature provided Alexia with great comfort during times of distress and helped to give her the strength that she could get through it.

“We also met Buddy’s owner, Josephine, one of Spread a Smile’s Co-founders. I found out from Josephine how the charity started. She was very encouraging, and it made such a difference to connect with someone that could relate to how much life changes after a cancer diagnosis.

“Spread a Smile provided a much needed and welcome distraction whilst Alexia was in hospital. She would try so hard to be brave all the time and keep a smile on her face but I knew that she missed being at home with her siblings and friends. We would often hear the singing and laughter before we saw the familiar Spread a Smile t-shirts and she would be eagerly staring at her door waiting for the opportunity to see one of the entertainers.

‘In one of her admissions when she was in isolation, they even stood at her door and did a performance just for her. It really made her feel special and reminded her that life wasn’t always going to be this hard and maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

“It really brought tears to my eyes to see how much effort the Spread a Smile team put into making each child feel special and putting a smile on their faces. It really made a huge difference to me as a parent to see how happy it made Alexia every time she spent time with one of the Spread a Smile team.

Alexia really enjoyed the wide range of activities that they put on for the children and she was able to interact with other children who also had cancer.

‘In those moments they were just a bunch of kids enjoying time together and just being children. The sound of her laughter and the smile on her face gave me hope and reminded me that one day our family would be back together, and Lexi would be ok.

 “When Alexia was well enough, we also went to an afternoon tea that Spread a Smile organised in London, which she really enjoyed and she got to interact with other oncology children who were at the same hospital but whom she had not met.

In February 2024, for Alexia’s 10th birthday she wanted to do something impactful to help other children who had cancer. She remembered how happy she felt when she saw Spread a Smile’s entertainers and how they made her forget how difficult it was being in the hospital. For her 10^th birthday she shared how much of a difference Spread a Smile made to her life at hospital and asked family and friends to donate money to her fundraiser for Spread a Smile instead of giving her a birthday present. She was really chuffed to raise even more than she thought she would have and managed to raise £750.

“It meant a lot knowing that our friends were acknowledging and supporting a cause that has made and continues to make such a difference to Alexia and us all.

“Spread a Smile offers virtual art and singing clubs and although Alexia has thankfully not had to be admitted as often as before she has still been able to join in with the weekly virtual classes and looks forward to this every week. SAS has been a huge help in helping Alexia to transition back to ‘normal life’ and continues to be a part of her journey even after the completion of her treatment.

“Spread a Smile has played a massive role in our whole family and even with Alexia’s siblings and will always be a charity that we will continue to support and recommend to other oncology families.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children and young people like Alexia and their families by donating today. Thank you.

In January 2020, Kian was diagnosed with epilepsy after experiencing unusual movements and drop attacks, with his body dropping to the floor uncontrollably. He was admitted to the children’s ward at Colchester Hospital where he had an EEG which confirmed he had epilepsy, after which he was referred to the Epilepsy Team who recommended a course of medication to help control the seizures.

A few weeks later, Kian started to experience more serious Tonic-clonic seizures, involving loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. He started to experience around 30-40 seizures a day, spending a huge amount in and out of hospital and trying different medications. Kian was diagnosed with Epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (EMAtS) or Doose Syndrome. Some days he was experiencing up to 300 seizures a day across a 6-8 month period.

Just before Kian’s 6th birthday he was admitted to Addenbrookes Children’s Hospital, undergoing further tests and procedures to try and establish what was happening and to start a specialised ketogenic diet to help treat the seizures he was having. Kian went from being a very calm and happy boy to feeling very angry and frustrated with life. It was an incredibly stressful time for the family, with Kian and Mum Danielle being away from home so much, with Danielle saying,

“Kian’s personality completely changed, and it was so tough for him. He is very close to his Dad, but as Kian has a younger brother I would go to hospital with him and his Dad would stay at home with Ethan. Kian wasn’t able to go to school properly because of the seizures and it was also during the pandemic, so he was missing out on so much. We all really struggled. It was during our time in Colchester Hospital that the Epilepsy Nurse suggested reaching out to Spread a Smile to see if they could support us in some way.”

Spread a Smile arranged for a virtual visit for Kian with one of our entertainers, which led to more regular virtual sessions for Kian and his brother Ethan.

“Kian loves dressing up and he loves being on the sessions with the Spread a Smile fairies. Disney Princesses are his favourite and it’s his release from everything going on. He calls the fairies his Fairy Godmothers and looks forward to joining in and singing with them. He’ll talk about the sessions for ages afterwards and they have been a brilliant distraction for both him and his brother.  

“During the pandemic, Kian didn’t have many opportunities for socialisation, but the virtual sessions with Spread a Smile provided him with space to explore his imagination. It’s wonderful to see how his passions and choices are supported through the sessions. The Spread a Smile team embrace him and whatever he chooses to dress up as and it means so much to him that they engage with him for who he is.

“We all love sitting down together for the monthly magic sessions as well. We laugh and have fun and it’s so lovely to see the boys having fun together. It means a huge amount.”

Kian and his family have also enjoyed some of the charity’s family events and outings.

“The team at Spread a Smile has taken care to get to know Kian and what he likes. They have invited him to some brilliant events, including theatre trips to see Frozen and Wicked and also their Winter Party. He has loved every single one of them and everyone is always so welcoming and kind. When we went to the Winter Party it was the first time we’d all been out together as a family in a long time. Watching the boys get stuck in and enjoy themselves was amazing and they wouldn’t stop talking about it for days to come afterwards. It was so uplifting and such a wonderful opportunity to step away from the day to day worries of managing Kian’s epilepsy and just have a normal, quality day together as a family.”

“Kian still has seizures every day, but the number has reduced dramatically to between 5-10. During all this time Spread a Smile has been a constant for us. Every month the boys have something to look forward to and the team are always there for us, providing a brilliant distraction and focus for fun and laughter. We don’t know what we’d do without them.”

Kian said, “I hate epilepsy, but I love Spread a Smile.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children and young people like Kian and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Mila was 19 years old when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Mila kindly shares her story with us here…

“The impact of my cancer diagnosis can only be described as total upheaval. It felt like a deep and painful grief. A grief not only for the version of myself I was before, but an uncertainty for the future I had envisioned for myself.

“I had to pause my studies, read about side effects of different treatments, sign consent forms and undergo complex and uncomfortable procedures. It felt like my life had completely stopped. I was constantly going between my house and the hospital, monitoring symptoms and unable to see friends for fear of infection.

“The worries I had before felt so insignificant in the face of my diagnosis. The world started to feel like a very dangerous and scary place. Everything was uncertain. Treatment and medication were my sole focus, and I had little energy for anything else.

“Now that I am in remission, I look back at that time when my body was in complete survival mode and wonder how I made it through. Then I remember. It was because of glimmers. Little glimmers of hope. Small moments of connection, joy and laughter that reminded me, or rather connected me, to this past version of myself I was grieving. They gave me hope that life can continue to have joy, even in the toughest of situations.

“Spread a Smile were these glimmers; whenever they came to visit there was a visible shift in atmosphere. You could see other patients and their parents or guardians sharing smiles while the musician played the patient’s favourite song, or an artist made an impressive balloon model. My mum and I shared looks of disbelief at the magician’s tricks, completely wrapped up in the magic of the moment. These moments were a break, for both of us, from the anxiety, busyness and intensity of the moment.

“Often, when I least expected it, a group from the wonderful Spread a Smile team would approach us, and I would find myself playing with the therapy dog or hearing a lovely piece of music.

“My mum and I would be apprehensively spending time waiting – for appointments, treatments, updates, medication, blood tests, scan results – so having something to do made this time feel lighter. It was a positive distraction which helped me to take my mind away from my worries. It gave me something to tell my family and friends about when they asked how I was, instead of just relaying to them the monotony of life in treatment being passed between doctors and hospitals. It also means that now, when I look back at this period of my life, I remember these happy moments which sit around and hug the really sad and difficult ones.

“When I get anxious about returning to the hospital for appointments, focusing on these moments with Spread a Smile helps me immensely to reframe my experience and memory of that time. Having regular art sessions online with Spread a Smile throughout my treatment has helped to give me structure in my week while having chemo and recovering from its side effects. These have been the highlight of my week and give me something to look forward to. They have helped me to start to manage my time again in the face of concerns of relapse. The art sessions have acted as a form of mindfulness for me, really allowing me to immerse myself in drawing and improve my artistic skills and confidence.

“This confidence has also translated to other areas of my life. The team has always let me choose what we work on in each session and I have been amazed by just the range of different styles of drawing and collage we have been able to do. No drawing seems impossible anymore!

“On my birthday, as I was not well enough to attend an in-person party, Spread a Smile organised an amazing online magic birthday party for me. Later, I was able to attend some of their in person events such as seeing Wicked, Newsies and Sisters Act in the West End; amazing experiences as I love musicals but haven’t had the chance to see any live before. I also joined other young people on a residential trip with Spread a Smile to the Lake District which was really wonderful. Attending these has meant that I have some amazing new memories to treasure since being ill and these have helped me to feel more hopeful for the future.

“All the things I have been lucky enough to do with Spread a Smile are smiles and memories I treasure and hold close to me, especially on tough days or times of increased uncertainty. They take a bleak day and fill it with so much colour. It is this colour which I remember now, it has almost completely replaced the bleakness.

“My experience of hospital and cancer treatment wouldn’t be the same without them. The smiles they have spread are hope at a time when hope feels very far away. When everything felt scary, they brought glimmers of warmth, joy and familiarity to life, and that’s what I think I really needed most”.

Please help ensure we can continue to support young people like Mila and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Talulah was born a happy, healthy little girl, but as she got older the family noticed that she wasn’t meeting expected developmental milestones. Doctors initially thought it was global developmental delay, but the family knew deep down that something wasn’t right. They spent the next five years trying to establish a more accurate diagnosis, pursuing genetic testing at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where a blood test confirmed that Talulah had a rare genetic disorder called Wiedemann-Steiner Syndrome (WSS), which affects physical, intellectual and emotional development.

Mum Rebecca said, “Although it wasn’t nice to hear the diagnosis, we had already been living with the effects for a while, so it was finally good to have some answers and be able to start to think ahead.”

Lots of appointments to check various things such as her heart, teeth and hormones followed leading to the discovery of hip dysplasia in both hips. Over three years Talulah underwent five operations to replace and fix her displaced hips and it was during this time that the family were introduced to Spread a Smile.

“Talulah spent a lot of time in hospital, in pain, recovering from her operations, using a wheelchair and learning to walk again. It was during the pandemic and so we found ourselves stuck in hospital, with no access to playrooms and not able to see the rest of the family. This is when we started having virtual Zoom sessions with one of the Spread a Smile fairies and they completely changed the surgery experience for Talulah, bringing so much excitement and happiness. We would count down the hours until each session and it was always a light at the end of a horrible day.

“Part of Talulah’s disorder means she has horrendous anxiety and the sessions with Spread a Smile’s entertainers really helped to relieve this when she was feeling anxious. We could jump on a call for some singing, drawing or storytelling and it was a lifeline, helping to calm her down and bringing so much joy.”

Another symptom associated with WSS is increased hair growth, with Talulah’s hair growing at a considerable rate. “We’d spent a lot of time on the wards at GOSH meeting other children, some with cancer who had lost their hair during treatment. We met one little girl who was only four years old and had to have her tongue removed but she was so happy and helped to encourage Talulah to get out of bed after one of her hip operations to move around and dance with her Zimmer frame. After that we decided we wanted to do what we could to help other children going through such awful things and as Talulah’s hair grows so long so quickly, we started to cut it every year and donate it be made into wigs for children who had lost their hair to cancer.”

Talulah has been cutting her hair for since was four years old (she is now 11) and in both 2023 and 2024, Talulah and her family have also used the annual hair cutting to raise vital funds to support Spread a Smile and also help fund the making of the wigs, raising nearly £12,000 to date to support both Spread a Smile and the Little Princess Trust.

“We are so grateful for everything Spread a Smile has done for us. It’s been so wonderful to have zoom sessions to look forward to and to meet all of the amazing Spread a Smile entertainers who have not only helped and entertained Talulah but her siblings as well. We have built wonderful relationships with them all which has helped with Talulah’s anxiety and bring our family together when she was recovering at home for some very special moments. Spread a Smile provided us with a joyous, happy and a safe place and hearing my three kids giggle together was one of the best things.

“Sometimes when you’re in the midst of hospital life and treatment you don’t have the energy to laugh or smile as you’re so focussed on supporting your child and keeping them well and happy. Being with Spread a Smile was always such a relief. They gave us time to stop, sit down and breath, knowing that our child was entertained, happy and looked after. Seeing her laugh meant the world to me.  

“We have been through some horrible times and a lot of pain and trauma and Spread a Smile have been a bridge between those awful experience and now. Talulah is in good health and looking forward to starting a new school in September, but we will never forget the impact that the wonderful team at Spread a Smile has had for us.”

Talulah wrote the following message to us, “To Spread a Smile – best charity ever, Thanks for always helping me in hospital. You always make me feel very happy and smiley and also you cheer me up when I’m in hospital and you also cheer everyone up. When I was bored in hospital you made me excited and some days when I wasn’t at school I just jumped in the Zoom calls with Kiri. Love Talulah.”

Mum, Roop, shares Ajooni’s story with us… “Three weeks short of her third birthday, Ajooni was diagnosed with leukaemia. Looking back, she had exhibited signs however, she had never been a good eater and seemed to pick up every bug at nursery, so we put her lack of energy and disinterest in play down to yet another cold. 

“However, the lethargy went on too long and when she started complaining her arms were hurting and her stomach was hard to touch, I took her to A&E at our local hospital. Within hours we were told she had just four platelets left in her body (between 500-600 is normal) and required an immediate blood and platelets transfusion.  It was a complete shock, we had been in the middle of arranging my elder daughter’s birthday party for the following day and when I called and told my husband, he was standing in a shop buying balloons.  He’s not bought a balloon since.

“After the transfusion Ajooni was transferred by ambulance to Great Ormond Street Hospital where further tests confirmed her diagnosis and treatment commenced.  I can still recall how small and pale she looked in that big hospital bed and how traumatic those first few days and weeks were, from putting in a canular to the constant testing and medicating.  She cried and was so exhausted and from then on became incredibly nervous of any medical professional coming into her room.

“Fairy Kiri from Spread a Smile popped her head into Ajooni’s room one afternoon about a month into our hospital stay. She sprinkled some fairy dust and it all seemed so magical in such a clinical world.  Ajooni couldn’t believe it; a real-life fairy coming to sing and play with her. From that first visit she couldn’t wait for Spread a Smile’s next visits and she formed a wonderful connection with both Fairy Kiri and Mr Squishy, they lifted her spirits every time. When she was stable, we were also fortunate to enjoy a trip to see the Peppa Pig Show in the West End with Spread a Smile, which she absolutely loved. It was a very personal experience and for me it was a joy to see her smiling and laughing again. We still talk about that day and how special we felt.

“I am pleased to say that Ajooni is currently well and back home but the intensity of her time in hospital and her treatment has left its scars. She is suffering from PTSD and has a needle and hospital phobia. She worries about relapses and won’t sleep alone.  It’s going to take time and counselling for us all to heal. Spread a Smile is still supporting her. Every two weeks she enjoys a piano lesson with Andy and we can really see a difference in her – music seems to reduce her anxieties and build her confidence and subsequently her resilience. 

“I don’t have the words to express our gratitude to Spread a Smile. When other services and our safely nets were removed, they have continued to offer the most amazing support. Thank you.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Ajooni and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Jacob’s symptoms began at the end of 2021 with headaches and sickness and his Mum also noticed that his eye was turning inwards. Following an optician’s appointment Jacob was referred to the Eye Department of Queen Alexandra Hospital where an MRI revealed a build-up of pressure on his brain which was blocking fluid flow. Jacob was sent straight away to Southampton Hospital where his neurosurgeon revealed that Jacob had a brain tumour. The family’s world fell apart.

Jacob was admitted for emergency surgery the next day to release the fluid build-up on his brain. Jacob’s Mum, Donna said, “We were told that Jacob would’ve died if he hadn’t had the surgery when he did because of the pressure on his brain. It was absolutely terrifying. He then had more surgery a couple of weeks later to remove the tumour itself.”

The surgery was a success with most of the tumour removed and Jacob recovering well. But during one of his regular MRI checks in October 2022, they found that the tumour had grown back, resulting in further surgery.

“By this point Jacob’s eyes had been seriously affected and after his surgery, the team decided to use a type of radiotherapy called proton beam therapy to help reduce the chances of the tumour growing back. We went up to stay in London, going to UCLH every day for six weeks for treatment. It was during this time that we met Spread a Smile.

“We were in one Friday and met one of the lovely Spread a Smile artists who created a beautiful sign for him to go on his box for all his hospital playthings. Jacob loves Rubik’s cubes so the artist drew his name on it with a Rubik’s cube, which he loved. We also met a balloon modeller who made him a Rubik’s cube out of balloons. She said she’d never made one before, but she did a brilliant job and he thought it was fantastic.

“After that Jacob would look forward to going into UCLH every Friday as he knew he would see the Spread a Smile team. It helped him get through the week. Even though it was the worst time of my life, if you ask Jacob, he will say it was the best time because of Spread a Smile. He looks back at that time at UCLH so fondly and they helped him deal with what he was going through and find a routine within it which was so important.

“Marina the Spread a Smile artist also painted his radiotherapy mask for him which he had to wear for proton beam therapy under anaesthetic. Jacob wanted it painted with a space theme and every time he was put to sleep for his treatment, he would dream he was going off to a different planet. It helped to make it a positive experience and give him happy memories and he now proudly displays the mask. It wasn’t a scary mask because it was his space mask.”

“Spread a Smile has given us so much. During the Easter holidays, when there were less things to do in hospital, Jacob and his cousin did an online magic show session with them and it was so much fun. He has learnt magic tricks which he can now do himself. Jacob finished his radiotherapy treatment in April 2023 and even though we are out of hospital now, Spread a Smile is still there for us. They sent him a Smile Hamper at Christmas time full of presents and organised a special online zoom party for his birthday. They are so kind.  

“When we were in hospital I was sat chatting to their team about music and I mentioned I liked S Club7. The next thing I knew, they were all singing ‘Reach for the Stars’ for me. It was something just for me and such a special moment which made my cry. I was so grateful and touched.

“Everyone is so awesome. A lot of people have helped us through this awful time but Spread a Smile has helped us both more than anyone. They were there for us at the worst of times in hospital and to this day as well. I’ve felt so supported and less isolated and that means so much. Jacob’s ‘wish’, organised by Make a Wish, is to go back to London and visit UCLH so he can see the Spread a Smile team.”

Jacob is doing well and has regular MRIs to keep an eye on his brain. He said, “Spread a Smile are really COOL! I love the magicians and the dog that came in was really cute. I met a guy that made up poems and he made up one about my Auntie and Cousin coming to visit. It was so brilliant.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Jacob and their families by donating today. Thank you.

When Freddie was 8 years old, he became very unwell with tonsillitis. His symptoms got progressively worse, including sinusitis, hay fever and severe sleep apnoea. His family noticed that the palate inside his mouth was extremely enlarged so they took him to A&E, after which he was sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) for surgery to drain and remove what they initially thought was a cyst.

After surgery the Consultant told the family that the cyst was actually a mass and it had been sent for biopsy and the oncology department would be in touch. Freddie’s Mum Charmaine said,

“At this point everything changed. We thought after surgery, everything would be fine, and we couldn’t understand why we needed oncology. We stayed in hospital for a couple of days to recover and Freddie seemed back to his normal, cheeky self, running around with no symptoms. However, a week later he started to show some symptoms, losing weight and not long after, we were told that Freddie had cancer. Everything was a blur after that.”

Freddie was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma nasopharyngeal, an aggressive soft tissue cancer, situated at the back of the nasal area towards base of skull. Surgeons had removed the majority of the tumour, but a little bit remained, so Freddie went back into hospital to have a Hickman line inserted, starting chemotherapy two days later.

“Freddie went through 9 rounds of chemotherapy and 7 weeks of daily intensive radiotherapy at GOSH and UCLH due to the aggressive nature of the tumour. It was during this time that we met the Spread a Smile team. Freddie met therapy dogs, singers and artists and he particularly loved Abi, the graffiti artist. She would write his name and he would colour it in and she showed him how to do spray art and use acrylic art. He absolutely loved it and it helped to distract him from his treatment so much. He was in a trance with it and carried on with one-to-one sessions with Abi online to learn even more. Art is his therapy, and he loves doing an art club with Spread a Smile along with his siblings every week.

“On the first day we went to UCLH for proton beam therapy we met Marina, one of the Spread a Smile artists. Freddie had to wear a mask during his treatment, and it was an incredibly scary thing for him. Marina told us that she could paint his mask and Freddie created an A3 sketch of what he wanted on it. He drew so many things and Marina literally put everything on the mask for him. It was amazing.

“It took a huge amount for Freddie to put the mask on. The whole process of Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) and fitting the mask is really scary. It’s restrictive and not fun at all. But for Freddie, being able to design something for the mask and have his say in what it looked like changed that for him. It became more fun and less scary. When Freddie was given his mask, he was mesmerised by it. Marina was there too, and they chatted about what she had done. She had replicated his art and thoughts so well and it was very special. It helped change how he saw the mask and helped him to accept it. He couldn’t wait to phone his family to show them and tell them what was on it – all the little things he liked.

“He didn’t mind wearing his mask once it was painted and enjoyed talking with other children about what they had on their masks. He was so proud to show it to people. We now have it home and it is a prized possession on his desk which he proudly shows to everyone who comes in. His mask was his protection, and he was proud of what he had been through.”

“As a Mum it was traumatic watching Freddie have the mask put on as it is so big, and they have to clip it into place around the bed. But seeing it looking so special and personalised made things a little easier. Marina is amazing and an inspiration, just to think how she created something so accurate and perfect for Freddie. It made a difference to our lives.”

After Freddie’s initial chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Freddie started maintenance chemotherapy to pick up any remaining cells, managed through weekly visits to GOSH and daily oral chemotherapy at home.

“Throughout all of it, Spread a Smile has been there for the whole family and it’s wonderful. It was such a hard time for Freddie’s siblings as it’s easy to feel on the outside of everything he is going through and is happening. It is scary for them with us not being around all the time. Spread a Smile helped to bring us all together through enjoy a very special afternoon tea at Mildreds which we went to as a family. We all got to go to London together, somewhere the kids hadn’t been to before and the charity gave us such a happy, amazing time as a family.

“Spread a Smile also sent Christmas Hampers packed full of gifts for all of the children which we saved to open in January as Freddie had been so ill over Christmas. It was wonderful seeing the kids open them together, enjoying themselves. It was such a lovely moment, and we so appreciate everything that Spread a Smile has done for us and Freddie.

“Spread a Smile made an extremely difficult time a little bit easier. They brought a smile to Freddie’s face – to all of our faces. We really can’t thank them enough.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Freddie by donating today. Thank you.

It was Christmas 2021 when 11-year-old Evie started experiencing headaches, sight problems and double vision. Her symptoms deteriorated and a seizure and vomiting followed. She couldn’t feel her arms and legs and wasn’t able to move because she was in so much pain. It was an incredibly scary time for the family as they tried to find a diagnosis, with an MRI eventually revealing that Evie had developed a rare childhood brain tumour called a pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA).

Evie said, “I remember the build up to the diagnosis clearly. I was googling online to try and work out what was wrong, and I said to my Mum ‘I bet you any money I’ve got a brain tumour’. So I wasn’t surprised when I was told and I felt quite proud of myself and my Mum that day as we’d pushed through and trusted our instincts.”

Evie was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where they were greeted by a Neurosurgeon who told them that the tumour had blocked the flow of spinal fluid, causing a build-up, headaches and blurred vision. Evie arrived at GOSH on the Wednesday and had brain surgery on the Friday to have a shunt inserted in her brain. Her symptoms improved straight away.

“I woke up and I remember looking around, feeling so much better. I didn’t have any pain and felt pretty fantastic (although the morphine drip helped).”

Mum, Hannah said, “It was a terrifying time for us all and such a relief to see Evie feeling better straight away. She was so exhausted and slept for a couple of days after surgery. We then started to talk with the Doctors about the best way to treat the tumour going forward. The tumour was inoperable as it is in the centre of her brain and there were huge risks of memory loss and organ / hormone damage, and she was too young for radiotherapy. We started an 18-month course of chemotherapy encountering all sorts of issues along the way including hair and weight loss, seizures and short term damage to her hands and feet.

“It was such a gruelling 18 months, which hugely impacted her schooling and ability to do things she enjoyed, such as art. Spread a Smile had been mentioned to us early on and we got in touch to see how they could help. We chatted about what Evie was interested in. As she was so unwell during treatment, she couldn’t do much, but was able to join online art sessions with Spread a Smile every two weeks.”

Evie said, “I wasn’t going to school and didn’t really have anything to do, so it was brilliant to take part in the Spread a Smile art sessions. They made me feel much happier and like there was someone else out there who really cared for me beyond my family.”

Mum Hannah said, “The effects of the chemo hit Evie really hard, and I felt so sad for her as I knew she loved drawing and creative writing so much. The art sessions gave her the chance to do that again and express herself. She would come to me after each session so excited to show me what she’d done and she absolutely loved it. It sounds like a cliché, but Spread a Smile does just that, they make people smile. It was so lovely for Evie to have something that brought a little bit of normality and fun back to her.”

Since her treatment ended, Evie’s life is back on track, her hair has grown back, and she is back in school full time.

“The tumour has shrunk from 4cm to half a cm and even though the cancer is still an unknown, we live for the here and now.” Hannah said. “Spread a Smile have been amazing through it all. Kiri who does her sessions with her has really brightened her days and Evie still does the sessions once a month as she loves them so much. We’ve also been to some of Spread a Smile’s family events which have been brilliant and we definitely recommend them. We went to the Christmas Party as a whole family, and it was just amazing – so special as Evie had just finished treatment and we were thoroughly spoilt.

“I was apprehensive about signing up for support at first, but I needn’t have been. Everyone at Spread a Smile has made us feel so welcome and loved. They make such a difference to families like ours, supporting us during such difficult times. It’s nice to have people like Spread a Smile around when you need them and we can’t thank them enough for their kindness and support.”

When Folakemi was one year old she was diagnosed with a large hole in her heart (VSD) and transposition of the great arteries, a serious heart defect where the two main blood vessels leaving the heart are swapped. This resulted in irreversible damage to her lungs, causing difficulties with mobility and breathing and considerably reducing her life expectancy.  

The family were told that Folakemi would receive palliative care and she was also referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Although Folakemi’s heart could not be fully repaired, she underwent successful surgery to switch the arteries and is still monitored every three months at GOSH to check that she remains stable. It was during one of these appointments, when Folakemi was around 7 years old, that the family first met Spread a Smile. 

Mum Anita said, “We were waiting for our appointment and some of the Spread a Smile entertainers came by doing magic tricks and other fun things. Folakemi absolutely loved it and it really cheered us both up. So when we left the hospital I went online and got in touch with the charity to find out more.

“We signed up for all sorts of virtual online sessions, from magic to storytelling and art and the distraction was amazing. It was nice to see Folakemi do something just for herself, that was fun and not something medical. Because of Folakemi’s condition, I was homeschooling her and we were able to sign up to an online tutor through Spread a Smile as well. They did some science sessions together which is one of her favourite subjects and it was so nice to have someone else help teach her for a bit.

“Folakemi’s condition is life-limiting and as she grows we just don’t know what will happen as her body finds it difficult to get enough oxygen around. So the online sessions give her something really happy to do. Folakemi now does guitar lessons with Andy and Kiri every other Monday and she absolutely loves them. They make them so interactive and accessible for her and take it at her speed. 

“She also does a weekly art session together with her sister which is really lovely. Spread a Smile sends out the arts and crafts pack to us in advance and the children love getting stuck in. For me, it’s nice to see them doing something together and sometimes I even get a chance to just sit quietly and have a cup of tea. It means a lot to watch my daughters being happy, doing something they love and interacting with other people, just like other children. 

“The Spread a Smile sessions are so valuable to Folakemi as they belong to HER. They are about her and no one can take them away from her. Folakemi loves everyone at Spread a Smile and has said that she would love for someone like Kiri to be with her all the time as she is always smiling and singing. 

“It has meant the world to us as a family to have the support of the team at Spread a Smile. We see Folakemi laughing and happy and enjoying different experiences and Spread a Smile brings so much vibrancy and joy to our lives. They really do go above and beyond to support the kids, knowing everyone by name and celebrating whatever the kids are doing and can achieve. We come away feeling so great every time and Folakemi is proud of everything she achieves and creates with Spread a Smile. 

“The team has shown such kindness to us, sending a surprise balloon for Folakemi’s birthday. None of us knew it was coming and it was so exciting receiving the box and not knowing what it was. Then the ‘walking’ unicorn balloon popped out of the box and Folakemi was over the moon as unicorns are her favourite. It became her best friend and she took it everywhere. It was a personal and thoughtful gift, as are the Smile hampers they send out at Christmas time. Spread a Smile really does make a real difference and are so kind and supportive.

“Spread a Smile shines a little light through all the worry and darkness, particularly at Christmas time. Folakemi and her sister Tempitope are so looking forward to receiving their Smile Hampers. The excitement and joy are wonderful and it brings a tear to my eye watching them laugh and unwrap their gifts. It means the world to all of us.”

As Folakemi herself said, “I love Spread a Smile, the people, the art and all the fun things. They make me happy.”

Please donate £25 to help fund a Smile Hamper for children like Folakemi and Temitope. Thank you.

When Amelia was 8 years old she started to experience headaches and stomach pains at night. Amelia’s symptoms continued and her family started noticing that she didn’t seem to be growing, wasn’t eating properly, started to lose weight and kept losing her balance and falling over. 

Knowing that something wasn’t right, Amelia was referred to a Specialist at Colchester Hospital for an MRI scan, which revealed a large mass on her brain and treatment starting in November 2022.  As the mass was very close to her eyes, her scans were sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and Addenbrooke’s Children’s Hospital for review, after which the family were told that the mass was in fact cancer. Amelia was diagnosed with Germinoma, a brain tumour, in January 2023.

Six cycles of chemotherapy treatment followed, during which time Amelia was often very unwell, in and out of hospital for blood transfusions. It was an extremely emotional time for Amelia and her family, with Amelia just wanting to be at home, surrounded by her family.

In April 2023, Amelia was referred for a three-week course of Proton Beam Therapy at University College London Hospital (UCLH), during which time Amelia and her Mum stayed together in London, going into hospital every day for treatment.  

Amelia’s Mum, Gemma said, “It was a really difficult time for us all, with Amelia and I in London away from the rest of the family. We were in and out of hospital so much and couldn’t be together as a family. Amelia was often so ill that we weren’t able to do anything else at all.”

It was during this time that Amelia’s family were introduced to Spread a Smile. 

Gemma said, “My husband Scott, met some of the Spread a Smile team in hospital. They introduced themselves and said they would love to support us, mentioning an upcoming day out at Mildreds restaurant and another trip to see Frozen at the theatre.

“It really was amazing as the outings gave us the chance to do something together as a family. We went to see Frozen just after Amelia finished her protons treatment and it was brilliant to have her sisters join us for such a special day out.

“We didn’t have a lot of money, as Amelia’s Dad had given up work to look after our other children whilst I was with Amelia in London. Things were really tight and we were under a lot of pressure. Getting to go to Mildreds and Frozen were such treats for the whole family and something we would never have been able to afford. Spread a Smile gave us a place to be together, not having to worry about money. There was entertainment, magic, singing and so much more to help cheer us all up and forget about the other stuff we were going through. We were so well looked after.

“Just seeing the looks on the children’s faces was amazing. The girls particularly loved the face painting and balloon making and the Lola’s cupcakes were incredible – always such a treat. What was nice for me was being able to just sit down, relax for a bit and watch my children together, just having fun and smiling. We also went along to the Spread a Smile Summer party in June and that was a beautiful sunny day for the whole family. We had so much fun!”

Amelia rang the bell at Colchester Hospital in July 2023 to mark the end of her treatment for cancer, with Spread a Smile continuing to be there for Amelia and her family.

“In August we had the opportunity to go to the Lake District as a family for the Spread a Smile residential trip and we jumped at the chance. It’s not something we would’ve been able to do otherwise and we were so excited to spend time together and go away together after Amelia finished her treatment.

“Spread a Smile put on such an amazing trip! Everything was organised for us and there were adventures, fun sessions and so much more to enjoy. We met and learnt from other families on their cancer journeys and Scott and I also got to chill out for a little bit in the evening which was so special. The kids still say it was the best holiday they have ever had and we will never forget sitting out at night watching the shooting stars. Such special moments that we will never forget. 

“Seeing Amelia go through her treatment was so hard. She was so sick and there was so much worry and pain. Being away from the family was extremely difficult and a very lonely time for me. Spread a Smile brought light back into lives. They  gave us something to look forward to and a place to be together again as a family. We will forever be grateful for this amazing charity and their amazing team.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Amelia and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Teddy was just nine months old when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in early 2023. Having struggled through illness after illness with his symptoms worsening each time, Teddy ended up in hospital with pneumonia and on oxygen support, before blood tests revealed his devastating diagnosis.

Teddy was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) the very next day and sent to theatre the same evening to have a Hickman line fitted and begin chemotherapy.

10 days of chemotherapy treatment followed, then a four to five week recovery period before a second, more intense round of chemotherapy and a further 6 to 8 weeks recovery. Teddy spent a large majority of this time in hospital, often extremely unwell from the side effects of his treatment. 

Spread a Smile first met Teddy and his family at GOSH during his first round of chemotherapy.

Teddy’s Mum, Katie said, “It was such an intense time, with our lives turned upside down, living away from home whilst Teddy was in hospital. When we were on Elephant Ward, a Spread a Smile fairy came to visit Teddy in his room and sang nursery rhymes to him. He loved it and it was like a breath of fresh air.

“Since that first visit we made sure to see the Spread a Smile entertainers whenever they came in! It is extremely tedious being in hospital all day, trying to entertain a 9 month old, with nothing much to do. We looked forward to their visits, to see Teddy’s face light up and have something new to distract him. It was lovely for his Dad and I to just sit back and watch Teddy smile and clap along to the singing. 10 minutes of pure joy.

“Having been in hospital for such a long time, Teddy’s physical development was delayed, but his cognitive development has been brilliant thanks to the visits from the Spread a Smile fairies and musicians. They gave him something to focus on and learn from. To start with he would smile and clap to the songs, but the more we saw them, the more he would learn, copying all the actions to songs. It’s been really valuable to help stimulate his development.

“We’ve also loved the Therapy Dog visits as we have a dog at home, so whenever Teddy saw one of the Spread a Smile dogs, his face would just light up. He loved stroking them, giving them treats and rolling the ball to them. It was wonderful to watch.”

A bone marrow match was found in the Spring and Teddy received a bone marrow transplant at the end of June, after which he fell quite ill with sepsis. 

“It was such a worrying time for us, with Teddy so unwell and being away from home. When Teddy first moved into his room on the transplant ward, his room was covered in mermaids and we wanted to try and make it feel more personal and a bit more like home. One of the hospital Play Specialists mentioned that there was a Spread a Smile artist, Marina, who could paint some murals especially for Teddy.

“When Marina came to see us, we talked about what Teddy would like. Teddy is our ‘Super Ted’ and so she painted his very own Super Ted on his window. It was an exciting and very special moment. We are on a journey of a lifetime and it feels like we are leaving our stamp on the room for others to enjoy, hopefully bringing some good luck. I feel like it represents our boy’s courage, strength and bravery, as well as the unconditional love we feel for him.

“Spread a Smile really is a wonderful charity and we witnessed so many children benefiting from the visits. For children (and their families) going through such traumatic experiences, Spread a Smile really does brighten up the day. They make you feel special during a very tough time, bringing out smiles which would otherwise be few and far between. It means a lot.”

Following his bone marrow transplant, Teddy turned a corner in early July, with the family hoping that discharge will soon follow.

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Teddy and their families by donating today. Thank you.

After one of Hannah’s eyes completely closed, a visit in June 2022 to Southampton Eye Hospital  confirmed a diagnosis of Rhabdomysosarcoma, a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma (cancer).

Hannah started a 21-day cycle of chemotherapy at Southampton University Hospital before travelling to London in September 2022 to start a six week course of proton beam therapy and chemotherapy at University College London Hospital (UCLH). The hope was that because of the nature of her tumour, this combination of treatment would give Hannah the best prognosis. 

Spread a Smile first met Hannah and her Mum Andrea whilst Hannah was receiving treatment at UCLH. Andrea said: “We discovered Spread a Smile whilst waiting for proton beam therapy in the hospital playroom. There was a notice on the wall saying that Spread a Smile would be visiting with a therapy dog, so we asked to change Hannah’s treatment time to coincide with their visit. 

“We also met Laura from the charity who explained what Spread a Smile does and how they could support Hannah. Laura was so kind, asking Hannah what she was interested in and listening to her and what she had to say. We realised that Hannah really enjoyed art and so she started weekly art classes in hospital with Abi, one of the Spread a Smile artists. Hannah also loved meeting the magicians and therapy dogs – Buddy, Harry, Thomas and Chocco!

“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.  

“Instead of just turning up at the exact time for our appointments, we would arrive at hospital first thing for when Spread a Smile arrived, so we could spend as much time as possible with them. Hannah didn’t want to miss a thing! It gave her a sense of purpose and meant a huge amount to both of us.

“Spread a Smile also invited us on an outing to afternoon tea at Mildreds restaurant in London – which was brilliant. It was a chance for us to have a day out together, in amongst all the treatment and hospital stuff. We were able to relax and breathe for a while.”

At the end of 2022, Hannah returned back to Southampton to continue chemotherapy, finishing her last rounds in January 2023. 

“Since coming home, we are so lucky that Hannah has been able to continue her art classes every other week over Zoom. The classes are a way of her being with other people – friends now – who don’t treat her differently because of her illness. She is Hannah the person, not the illness. She looks forward to the sessions as she is listened to and valued. She has choices and independence which is hugely important when your life feels like it’s controlled by something like cancer.

“Spread a Smile has made a huge difference to Hannah, making life just a bit more manageable.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support young people like Hannah and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Sister and brother Emily and Luke were both diagnosed at birth with Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system, leading to lung infections and problems digesting food.

Mum Juliet said: “Emily (our eldest) was diagnosed through the heel prick test at birth. I had no idea what Cystic Fibrosis was and then a nurse from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) arrived at the door to talk me through it, helping us to understand what the condition is and what might happen. The next day, we were in hospital, meeting Consultants and the support team.” 

By the time Emily was three years old, her health started to decline, leading to the start of frequent hospital admissions. Juliet was 34 weeks pregnant with Luke when their hospital stays started. She would take Emily into hospital every three months for two weeks at a time and life revolved around maintaining medication, clinical interventions, managing coughs and colds and trying to ensure Emily was thriving.

“Emily’s stays in hospital were very demanding, particularly in the early days when she was so little. She had a PICC line inserted for IV antibiotics to be pumped into her system. We had physio sessions, gym sessions, meetings, talked at length with the Consultants and had many discussions as to how best to  manage Emily’s condition and health. We wouldn’t have been able to cope without them. We also had to manage the additional stomach and liver problems which often come with a diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis.”

“Being in hospital for a long time was a very challenging time for all of us. Emily needs to be in isolation, so we couldn’t mix with other patients or families to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Luckily GOSH is amazing at helping the children they care for to still be children, even when they are really unwell. This is when they introduced us to Spread a Smile. 

“Pre Covid, the Spread a Smile entertainers – singers, magicians and artists – would visit Emily in her room. When you’re with your child 24 hours a day, unable to see friends or family, it is an absolute lifeline. They brought joy, cheer, connection and something interesting in the day which lifted our spirits at a time when you feel so cut off from the outside world.”

“During the Covid pandemic, Spread a Smile adapted very quickly to continue their support online. Isolation during the pandemic was even worse. I was in hospital with one or both of my children 14 times during this time and at times we weren’t even allowed out of our room to go to the kitchen because of the serious infection risk. The Spread a Smile online sessions meant we could connect with a friendly face. Taking part in the activities was an amazing creative intervention at a time when the kids were missing out on so much play.

“External, creative organisations such as Spread a Smile play a crucial role in supporting the wellbeing of a child whilst in hospital. It means the hospital can focus on the medical needs and also ensures that all of the child’s needs are taken care of. 

“When she was little Emily loved face painting and the fairies. One time a Fairy gave her some magic dust which she kept for years and years. She loved the singers too – especially the funny ones who made her laugh!

“The amazing thing is that Spread a Smile adjusts and reacts as a child gets older, responding to their individual needs and offering different activities for different ages. So now, Emily is more into the online sessions and groups. She might ask the singers to sing Ed Sheeran or Adele as opposed to a nursery rhyme and they just do it.” 

“During Covid lockdown, when we were very isolated and shielding, Spread a Smile didn’t forget us. They delivered birthday presents and Christmas hampers to help cheer up the children. Those moments were a lifeline.”

Emily’s brother Luke, was also diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at birth, adding an additional layer of complexity and stress for the family due to the risks of cross-infection and additional care needs. 

“Initially, Luke’s condition didn’t manifest itself as complicated, but since the age of seven, he has struggled more. At one point before lockdown, Luke caught an extremely bad Cystic Fibrosis related bug which was very difficult to get rid of. He started a period of intensive treatment in hospital, spending 8-10 hours a day isolated in bed in his room, attached to an IV line. For an active boy it was extremely difficult, really impacting his state of mind and wellbeing. So he started online sessions with Spread a Smile and they were amazing. He particularly loves the art sessions and now attends weekly one-to-one and also group sessions. 

“Spread a Smile plays a vital role for Luke and the sessions have become a regular feature of his week. As they are online, he can take part and connect wherever he is – in hospital or at home. He has built relationships and they have remained consistent which has been important when he has to deal with so many other professionals elsewhere.

“When the children were well enough, we also went on a few theatre trips with Spread a Smile. They always do them with such style – entertainers, gifts, snacks, treats – making everyone feel so special and helping build positive memories. When you have so many things that are difficult going on, it’s wonderful to have something positive to do and think about. It helps to make the difficult times more manageable.”

Both Emily and Luke’s health has improved since starting new medication in 2022, meaning less time in hospital.

“Our relationship with Spread a Smile still continues to this day and as a family we are so thankful for everything they do. (Emily turned 13 and Luke 10 in early 2023). We are able to engage with stuff that makes a hugely positive difference to Emily and Luke’s wellbeing and for a parent, that is absolutely amazing.”

Luke says about Spread a Smile: “They are really funny and I like hanging out with them. It’s really fun. It helps me when I’m lonely as it makes me not feel lonely. Spread a Smile makes me feel happy inside the hospital and outside.”

Emily says about Spread a Smile: “I am so grateful that Spread a Smile has been able to provide me with support and entertainment whilst I’ve been sick and going through hard periods in my life.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support young people like Emily and Luke and their families by donating today. Thank you.

When JJ was seven years old his family noticed a spot on his chin and lip which didn’t seem to be improving. Within three months it had increased dramatically to the size of a golf ball and JJ was referred to Broomfield Hospital where a biopsy showed cancerous cells. JJ was immediately referred to Addenbrookes Hospital where he was diagnosed with rhabdomysosarcoma, an extremely rare form of cancer.

A few days later JJ started a treatment plan lasting 10 months and involving numerous MRI scans under general anaesthetic, nine courses of chemotherapy, followed by five courses of radiotherapy.  This involved JJ and his Dad spending time away from the rest of the family for part of his treatment at University College London Hospital (UCLH). This was a particularly tough and stressful time for the family as due to Covid restrictions, JJ and his Dad Peter were separated for long periods of time from JJ’s Mum and brothers.

JJ’s Dad Peter found out about Spread a Smile from other parents going through similar experiences in hospital. So he got in touch and the team visited JJ and his Dad to talk about how we could support him. 

Peter said: “Spread a Smile became the friends we really needed. They would send JJ gifts to help cheer him up and keep him busy whilst in hospital. They would take the time to talk to me and listen to my worries and concerns. As it was during Covid, we weren’t allowed to go home or to see anyone. Having a friend like Spread a Smile meant the world to both of us.

Even though JJ is now in remission for cancer and back at home, Spread a Smile continues to support him and also his brothers Tyler and Harley.

“At Christmas Spread a Smile sent JJ a Smile Hamper full of thoughtful gifts. It was lovely as I could tell they had all been picked with JJ and his age in mind and he loved them all. But what made it really special was that Tyler and Harley also got hampers too. Having a sick brother was really difficult for them – they felt on the outside. Tyler in particular felt really anxious about going out and catching something that would make JJ more unwell. Getting the Smile Hampers made them feel included and it was something they could all enjoy together. It was like Spread a Smile knew what they needed and how to help them forget all the pain and illness for a while.”

Since JJ returned to school, Spread a Smile also arranged for a virtual ‘Smile Party’ for JJ and his classmates. 

“It was absolutely amazing as the whole class got to enjoy JJ in a positive and understanding way and celebrate his birthday with him. Everyone loved it so much and talked about it for ages afterwards. He was King for the day.

“Spread a Smile has really supported us, helping to make life easier. When we were isolated, we had Spread a Smile and we will be forever grateful for that. From sending an email to see how we are, to inviting JJ for the online sessions or sending out art and crafts packs and the personalised Smile Hampers – they have done so much and mean so much to us.

“Even though JJ is in remission from his cancer, Spread a Smile hasn’t forgotten us and the support is still there. It makes a massive difference to me as his Dad, as I can see the joy and happiness JJ gets out of everything Spread a Smile does.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like JJ and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Chloe was just two years old when in 2013 she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

Richard and Karen, Chloe’s Dad and Mum said, “Chloe spent much of her childhood in hospital, undergoing hundreds of gruelling, painful procedures and treatments; she was extremely unhappy. Spread a Smile came into our lives a few weeks into our journey; the team made Chloe smile again and brought her back to life. In came smiling, friendly faces to her room at Great Ormond Street Hospital. For us as parents, it was so uplifting to see her happy in hospital.” 

“Spread a Smile took away some of the fear and they also involved Chloe’s brother, James, as they do with all siblings; they have been just as much a part of his life as for Chloe. 

“Chloe relapsed twice but over those years, Spread a Smile created many magical memories. On Chloe’s 10th birthday we received the news that her treatment wasn’t working. We were all in shock that day and needed to do something special for Chloe. Very quickly Spread a Smile arranged a virtual visit; it entertained her while she was feeling very low. It was the last birthday we got to celebrate with her. 

“Chloe passed away on 4 February 2022, aged 10. Even in Chloe’s final days, Spread a Smile helped us to create and capture many lovely moments. When we look at photos of Chloe giggling with a Spread a Smile entertainer, it’s just so special to see her smiling. 

“We are so fortunate that Spread a Smile has been part of our journey. They brought light into our lives. They brought Chloe laughter – which was just as important as medicine. It was their gift to us, which we know they give to so many other children, and we will be forever grateful.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Chloe and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Ava was born with a complex brain injury following a very rare infection during her Mum’s pregnancy.  With damage to every section of her brain, Ava underwent the first of multiple neurosurgeries at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) when she was just 10 days old.

Ava’s brain injury has caused cerebral palsy, uncontrolled epilepsy, scoliosis, hip dislocation and muscular, skeletal issues. She is non-verbal and a full-time wheelchair user requiring 24-hour support and care.

Ava’s Mum Liz told us, “When we first found out the extent to Ava’s injury and disabilities, our world fell apart. It took a while for us to adapt and accept our new reality, but now we see Ava for exactly who she is meant to be – our lovely, fun girl who is a blessing.”

Ava has been in and out of hospital all of her life and due to her disabilities spends a large amount of time at home. Finding Spread a Smile was therefore a lifeline for Ava and her family.

“We came across Spread a Smile when Ava was 13. A friend who had also been in and out of hospital recommended them to us and so we registered online to find out more. Then out of the blue the following Christmas, one of the beautiful Spread a Smile ‘Smile Hampers’ arrived for Ava full of carefully chosen gifts. It really was amazing! 

“By this point, Ava had been off school for quite a while during and post Covid and she was feeling incredibly lonely and isolated. Then the Spread a Smile Fairy turned up on our doorstep, singing to us and providing an injection of pure joy and happiness. It was like liquid sunshine, brightening our day and Ava thought it was the best thing in the world.”  

From that moment, Ava was hooked and the family signed up to join Spread a Smile’s virtual one-to-one and group sessions.

“Ava particularly loves musical theatre and her singing sessions with the Fairies and entertainers. Hearing them sing brings her so much joy. She sometimes invites friends she met in hospital who are also stuck at home and they join in together, creating a community of friendship. It’s nice for them to meet online to do something fun, when their world is so enclosed by the limitations of being at home. It breaks up the week and makes us feel less isolated and alone. When we take part in the group sessions, we see we have people there to support us.”

“A key thing for Ava is that the sessions focus on her. Because of her disabilities, she doesn’t get to make many of her own decisions or have her own independence. Spread a Smile makes her time with them, all about her. They ask her what she wants to do, focus on what she likes and enjoys and tap into that. There is nothing about illness or disability, it’s just a safe space for her to live in the moment, have fun, be in control and connect with other people.

“As a Mum, it’s wonderful to see how much happiness both Ava and I find with Spread a Smile. The days are long as we have to spend a lot of time at home. I can feel very alone sometimes as I might not see other people, apart from Ava’s support carers, for days at a time. Spread a Smile welcomes us both with open arms. Whilst Ava is enjoying the sessions, I can just sit with her and have half an hour of respite with a cup of tea! I get to chat to the entertainers and other Mums and have found a community who understand. If I’m exhausted, we also turn to Smile TV, Spread a Smile’s TV channel as it’s full of amazing resources to keep Ava entertained for a little while, whilst I just sit down.

“Spread a Smile has brought us so much joy during some of our darkest days. They are there for us, holding our hands and that means the world.” 

Please help ensure we can continue to support young people like Ava and their families by donating today. Thank you.

Ciara was born with Down Syndrome alongside additional heart complications which led to heart surgery at 18 months old. She was also hospitalised on several occasions for chest infections in those early years of life. Then in November 2016, after battling several viruses, Ciara started limping. Doctors initially treated her for hip infections, but three months later in early 2019, it was confirmed that Ciara had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. She spent three months in hospital undergoing intensive chemotherapy and when she didn’t reach remission, another six months gruelling treatment followed. Ciara was unable to walk, was fed via a nasogastric tube and spent her days in pain. 

Ciara underwent three years of chemotherapy and steroid treatment in total, including weeks in PICU on life support for an infection. During this time, she also developed acute mucositis – a condition characterised by pain and inflammation of the body’s mucous membrane and a side effect commonly associated with treatment for cancer. Her reaction to treatment was complicated as people with Down Syndrome find it harder to clear some chemotherapies from the body (methotrexate). The steroids used in treatment caused Ciara to become steroid dependent and have stunted hip growth.

Isolation and medical trauma seriously affected Ciara’s mental health. She was unable to go to school regularly for two years and then this led into covid lockdown.

Although Ciara has been off treatment for leukaemia since September 2019, unfortunately some long-term effects of the treatment still cause her issues. This combined with Down Syndrome means that Ciara still has to attend hospital and has low immunity to all the winter bugs. In January 2020 she developed a cholesteatoma and needed several operations on her ear to try and restore some hearing. Following her end of treatment party in February 2020, Ciara caught long covid whilst in hospital.

Ciara’s Mum Deborah said: “Ciara is a fighter and she loves life. She has a wonderful repertoire of slapstick comedy; her smile warms any heart and she likes to direct Broadway musicals using any willing performers. She has needed to extend her Makaton vocabulary since being deaf and this is just one-way Spread a Smile comes into life for her.”

Spread a Smile first met Ciara at King’s College Hospital in June 2019 after she had finished her cancer treatment. Initially Ciara started to enjoy regular virtual sessions with Mr Magic and Oscar (Mr Magic’s puppet) and absolutely loved them. Mr Magic and Oscar become her friends and to her they were also famous since they were on ‘TV’… Smile TV (Spread a Smile’s video platform). 

“Ciara then joined in lots of Spread a Smile’s virtual events and workshops including biscuit decorating, arts and craft sessions, and the weekly Makaton sessions (which she still does). Now she’s older her favourite zoom session was learning how to do her make-up and receiving the make-up for the session in the post.

“We’re also proud to have celebrated Ciara’s birthday with her through bespoke online Smile Parties. The summer party organised by the charity was the first time Ciara met the Spread a Smile team in person. It was a really special moment for all of us.

“Spread a Smile has really helped with Ciara’s recovery from illness. Their sessions have felt like therapy for both Ciara and myself as they are something special to join in with. It’s been a real treat for her and for me to see her actually enjoying herself. Although we have only met Spread a Smile once in person, the online Zoom sessions have been vital for Ciara as she finds it hard to leave the house and is anxious around other kids. Having regular Zoom sessions and getting to know a few of the Spread a Smile fairies and staff has been a God-send for our neurodivergent young person.

“We now use Smile TV a lot, and seeing the entertainers in person is a bit like meeting her idols. She loves them all! Ciara has also met Santa through Spread a Smile and attended both the Chanukah and Eid parties. I’m Jewish, but we haven’t got a reason for attending Eid… Ciara just wanted a party! I think the box of goodies Spread a Smile sent at Christmas and the make-up have been her absolute highlights – although the face painting workshop was amazing too. 

“For me, the one-to-ones with Ian have been particularly special as they have given me a chance to see Ciara laugh her head off. It’s a wonderful thing for a Mum to see when your child is unwell. The fact that she gets to see other children who are ill has also helped her and it’s been great for me to be able to talk to people like Vanessa (one of the Spread a Smile’s co-founders) who really get how awful this journey is. Thank you Spread a Smile for being there when we needed you most.”

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Ciara and their families by donating today. Thank you.

When she was five years old, Aditi was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome and Renal Failure. As a result, she requires dialysis three times a week, and a Bone Marrow Transplant.

Aditi’s health concerns have been a huge adjustment for the family. As Aditi’s Dad Uday said, “Aditi’s diagnosis turned our life into a different direction. We weren’t able to make spontaneous plans or travel to see family in India which was very hard. Aditi was only able to go to school for 2 hours a day on non-dialysis days and she has missed out on so much. Her brother has also been affected, as we try to juggle supporting Aditi and also Adithya during a pivotal time in his education.”

We first met Aditi and her family at Great Ormond Street Hospital in 2020 and have been supporting her with one-on-one sessions since August of that year.

Uday says that Spread a Smile has become ‘part of the daily fabric of their lives’. While Aditi’s taste has changed from nursery rhymes to Disney songs, our singing sessions and other support have played a hugely positive role during her time in hospital. Being able to experience fun and creative activities whilst undergoing treatment and in isolation brought joy and variety into the family’s life, especially as Aditi is unable to properly experience school. It also helped to take away from the common feelings of a hospital stay, which can range from worry to monotony.

Uday says that the Terrible Thames boat tour, which we invited the family to, was one of their most special memories of our work. He remembered Aditi and her mum, Divya, spending days leading up to the trip picking out clothes and hair accessories! Taking the family to the Theatre Royal to see The Tiger Who Came to Tea was also special, as they were able to have a whole family day out, including Adithya.

Getting to know Aditi and her family has been a joy and knowing that we can continue to make a difference in their lives is so meaningful.

“Spread a Smile brightened our world and they feel like part of the family. Aditi has found so much joy and happiness during the sessions and outings and has felt so special and loved. Spread a Smile have helped us all and given us such beautiful memories.” Uday

Please help ensure we can continue to support children like Aditi and their families by donating today. Thank you.