Laughter really is the best medicine as Spread a Smile children's charity appears on BBC's Children in Need

London,18^thNovember 2016

Spread a Smile, the charity that sends entertainers to perform for thousands of seriously ill babies, children and teenagers in hospital each year, is honoured and excited to be part of this year's BBC Children in Need live show.

Spread a Smile was chosen to appear on Children In Need after Fearne Cotton and Pudsey visited University College Hospital earlier this year where they met some of the patients, their families and members of the talented team of Spread a Smile performers.

Many of the children and teenagers entertained by the Spread a Smile team have very serious, life-limiting illnesses and often spend long periods of time in hospital.Visits from the entertainers break up the monotony of the long days and take the children's minds off their pain and gruelling treatment.

Five year old, Chloe Balloqui (below), who appears on Children in Need, first met Felicity Fairy, exactly 3 years ago when she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. Chloe has been in and out of hospital over the past 3 years, often for extended periods, and has got to know many of the Spread a Smileentertainers.

"We are honoured to share our experiences of the charity Spread a Smile on Children in Need this evening. They have bought smiles, happiness and laughter to our family whilst our daughter was having treatment for cancer in hospital. For us it wasn't just entertainment it was a form of therapy that helped our daughter cope with her treatment", Karen Kallaste, Chloe's Mum.

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The Charity currently sends entertainers into three main London hospitals, University College Hospital, Great Ormond Street and The Royal London. Its dedicated team of performers work hard to make each child feel special, relaxed and have an uplifting experience in the hospital environment.

A visit from Spread a Smile provides a much-needed distraction to patients, it is fun and creates some positive memories for the patients during what is a challenging time for all the family.

"Your entertainer Paul succeeded in bringing a smile to Cormac's face after a distressing day of cannulas, nausea and distressing news. I know it's all sleight of hand but Paul really did work some magic today", says Steven Moroney-Lewis of his son at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Indeed, research by scientists based atOxford University in 2011found that when we laugh it triggers the release of protective endorphins, brain chemicals that help us to manage pain and promote feelings of well-being. 

"Spread a Smile's work is clinically important for the recovery of our young patients. It also has the added benefit of making them feel positive about their lives." - Jamie Wilcox, Head of Volunteer Services, GOSH

The impact of having a sick child in the family is enormous, the whole family suffers, especially siblings, and the charity knows that it is important to include siblings when the entertainers' visit their brother or sister in hospital.

The charity also organises outings for the children and their families, most recently to see performances of "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" and "Aladdin" in London's West End.

"I won't ever forget you and the difference you made to Oliver and the rest of the family, with both the hospital visits and the amazing outings you organised. You gave us something magical to look forward to and desperately needed lasting positive memories for all the family during this nightmare. Unless you've been touched by Spread a Smile you have no idea of the impact they can have", says Claire Peate, mother of Oliver, age 11.

Spread aSmile is a small charity that has grown rapidly since Josephine Segal and Vanessa Crocker set it up from Josephine's kitchen table three years ago. Now there are 8 part-time workers and 9 volunteers based at a donated office in North London.

"Parents often tell us that after one of our entertainers has visited that it is the first time they have seen their children smile since they've been in hospital.The funding from Children in Need means that the charity can spread more laughter by sending in more entertainers more often into the hospitals to help lift the spirits of seriously ill children and their families", says Vanessa.

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www.spreadasmile.org

Spread a Smile is a registered as charity no: 1152205 

51 Chalk Farm Road

London NW1 8AN

For further information, jpegs, interviews and quotes please contact: Caroline Ratner, Caroline Ratner Communications 020 8209 0120/07976 765453caroline@carolinecomms.com

Notes to editors

Spread a Smile takes entertainers including fairies, magicians, pirates, children's characters, musicians, singers, face painters and poets and Cassie the therapy dog into children and teenage wards at Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Royal London and University College Hospital.

Each year the charity entertains approximately 3000 children.