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In June 2025 Erin was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare bone tumour, leading to an immediate referral to University College London Hospital (UCLH) for treatment.

Over the next eight months, Erin underwent 14 cycles of chemotherapy and six weeks of proton beam therapy, spending weeks and weeks in hospital, often very unwell.

Erin’s Mum Helen said, “When you receive a cancer diagnosis, life comes to a grinding halt overnight. Erin went from a creative, sporty, dance-loving 12 year old to spending all of her time sick in hospital or recovering at home and isolated from friends and family.

“Meeting the Spread a Smile team at UCLH was amazing for Erin. She loved the singers and music and was always trying to work out how the magicians did the magic tricks. The entertainer visits were a welcome and lovely reprieve from the medical reality of cancer and being in hospital.

“The ward Play Specialists encouraged us to the Spread a Smile Summer Party and even though Erin was hesitant at first, she absolutely loved it. There was entertainment and singing and we got to talk to some of the entertainers about the theatre trips the charity did. This led us to an outing with Spread a Smile to see Wicked in the West End and afterwards Erin didn’t stop singing the songs for a week.

“During her treatment, Erin spent the first three months unable to walk and it was so hard for her not being able to dance and express herself creatively. We reached out to Spread a Smile and signed Erin up for singing lessons every other week.

“Although shy when she first started, by the end she was so confident and happy – she absolutely loved them. No matter how unwell she was or where she was, she would never miss an opportunity for a singing lesson with Spread a Smile. When in hospital, the nurses would just work around her as they knew how important they were for her.

“During her cancer treatment, Erin had so little control over her own life. Everything was about the next medical steps – chemo, pain management, medical plans, physio and more. But in her singing lessons with Spread a Smile, Erin had control and she could make her own choices. The entertainers brought such a lovely, positive and friendly energy, encouraging her in her choices and helping her find her voice. It made a huge difference, and her confidence has grown massively because of it.

“As a parent to a child living with cancer, your world becomes very small. You are responsible for everything – from making sure they eat the right foods, to taking medicines, doing the right exercises, keeping up with appointments and trying to keep they happy and entertained. Finding Spread a Smile meant we could find the fun, giving Erin a creative outlet and time to enjoy herself and me time to enjoy watching her. That 45 minutes of lightness and music made our heavy world so much lighter.

“Cancer took away dance from Erin but Spread a Smile have helped to fill that creative gap with singing and music. Now that Erin is back at school, Erin has been left with a love of singing and has decided she wants to do music GCSE and work towards grades. Spread a Smile have helped to firmly establish singing as part of her creative future, giving her something positive and wonderful to take forward as she recovers. And that’s a truly amazing gift.”

Just £30 will help fund an entertainer visit for a young person in hospital.

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

Noah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in May 2022 when he was just two years old. The first month of treatment was extremely hard for Noah, leaving him groggy, with inflammation and spiking a temperature.

A CT scan at his local hospital found a bleed on his brain and Noah was immediately blue-lighted to the Intensive Care Unit at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), before being transferred to the oncology ward to continue chemotherapy.

Mum, Dilly said, “It was so scary to go from our local hospital to GOSH so quickly. It was during Covid, and we couldn’t leave our room or see anyone outside of medical staff.

Noah was taken for an MRI where the medical team discovered that a fungus infection had travelled from his chest to his brain causing a haemorrhage.

“Initially he seemed ok and wanted to eat, drink and sit up, but he began to deteriorate very quickly. He couldn’t move, or speak and as he was also having chemotherapy, he lost all his hair.

“Noah was on high steroids and a course of anti-fungal medication, but we soon realised it wasn’t working and another MRI revealed that the fungus had increased and he would need to have brain surgery to take a biopsy of the fungus so they could establish which medication might work. It was a terrifying time for us.”

“After the operation Noah’s condition started to improve straight away and he was transferred back to the oncology ward to continue his cancer treatment. We’d been there for about two months when a nurse excitedly told us that this brilliant charity, Spread a Smile, who were restarting their visits to the wards due to the Covid restrictions being lifted.

“We still couldn’t leave our room as Noah was so vulnerable, so one of the Spread a Smile entertainers came to the door and sang to us and did some magic. It was truly amazing – such a lifeline. From then on, we would look forward to Spread a Smile’s visits every Thursday. I would chat to Noah about what he would ask them to sing, and he would always say ‘Wheels on the bus’. We would have such fun thinking about it and then when they were with us it was so lovely – such a break from everything going on.

“In the July of 2022, one of the Play Specialists mentioned that Spread a Smile was having their annual Summer Party across the road from the hospital and that she could take us down to it. We were so looking forward to it as it was something I could do with both Noah and his twin sister Naima. Sadly, Noah wasn’t well enough to leave the hospital, but I went Naima and it was truly amazing. I cried all the way through it, but everyone was so kind and made all sorts of things for me to take back for Noah. A brilliant balloon modeller made a car for him and a flower for Naima. Up until then I’d never done anything like that without Noah – it has always been the twins together. It was so hard, but we were so well looked after and Naima loved it.

“Noah’s rehabilitation progressed well after that, and he started to regain his movement and speech again. In the Summer of 2023, we were delighted that Noah was well enough to come to the Spread a Smile Summer Party as well – in his buggy and with his NG tube. We went as a whole family, having the best time. I didn’t want any photos the previous year, but this year we had one all together as a family – Mum Dad, Noah and Naima. It really meant a lot.

“We’ve since been back another two times as a family and last year, Noah went running straight in, NG tube free, shouting ‘Party, Party!’ I’ve come to see the Summer Parties as markers of just how far Noah has come in the last few years: from not being able to move, speak or attend at all, to running in shouting. It’s been a very special part of our journey.

“One of the most wonderful things is that Spread a Smile has been there for both Noah and Naima in equal measures. The parties are so inclusive, and every child is treated the same, be it patient or sibling. It really is a beautiful thing and something we are so grateful for.

“Noah finished treatment in August 2024 but unfortunately relapsed in February 2025 just before his 5th birthday. Spread a Smile always get in touch around the twins’ birthday to see if they can organise a birthday call or session, but this year, I just didn’t feel I had the energy to do it, particularly as we were back in hospital. However, the lovely Spread a Smile team set it all up, organising a special online birthday party for them both. We did it whilst Noah was having an important procedure, and it was brilliant as it helped to distract him, making him feel so special.

“What Spread a Smile do for families is so important. As a parent, you’re just trying to hold it together, going through the unimaginable and being strong for your children. Spread a Smile give Noah and Naima time to laugh, have fun and enjoy themselves together. And when I see that, I’m also able to laugh, relax and just enjoy being with them in that moment. Even when they were just two years old, both knew who Spread a Smile was and that they bring something fun to look forward to – even in hospital.

“We’ve enjoyed so much with Spread a Smile, from the Summer Parties to entertainment in hospital, their Winter Party and online sessions. I even got a lovely hand massage this year when we were in GOSH as part of one of their Parent pamper Days. It was a rare treat for me and what’s more it happened to be my birthday! We really can’t thank Spread a Smile enough for all their love and care.”

Your donation helps us provide vital moments of joy for families like Noah’s. Thank you.

Imogen was just 6 months old when she was diagnosed with a low grade glioma – a type of brain tumour – resulting in her transfer to Bristol Children’s Hospital for surgery within 24-hours of diagnosis.

Although the majority of the tumour was successfully removed, Imogen suffered a stroke during surgery resulting in life-changing disabilities. The family’s world was thrown into chaos as they started to adapt to their new reality, with Mum Emma saying,

“We knew life had completely changed. We were told that alongside ongoing treatment for the brain tumour, the most we could expect was for Imogen to be able to breathe on her own and potentially swallow. Imogen is non-verbal and reliant on us for every aspect of her life but has completely exceeded expectations, being able to sit unaided and drink and eat herself.

After her initial surgery, Imogen underwent 18 months of chemotherapy, spending months in and out of hospital as she was so sick. In the following years, Imogen underwent two further brain surgeries after the tumour grew, followed by further rounds of chemotherapy.

“When Imogen was 12 years old, doctors discovered that the brain tumour had grown again but that surgery wasn’t an option as the tumour was growing into the middle of her brain. We were transferred to University College London Hospital (UCLH) for six weeks of proton beam (radio)therapy under general anaesthetic. It was during this time that we first met the charity Spread a Smile.

“We would see the Spread a Smile entertainers on the wards – fairies, therapy dogs and magicians – bringing so much joy and fun to children and families undergoing treatment. Imogen had to wear a special radiotherapy mask during her treatment and one of the Spread a Smile artists kindly decorated it for her with hearts and stars, making it so much less clinical and more child friendly. It made such a difference during that very difficult time.

“After Imogen’s treatment had finished she was quite poorly, experiencing huge fatigue. Life stuck at home was very boring for her and it was at this point that Spread a Smile became a lifeline to us. We signed up for their weekly virtual one-to-one entertainer sessions and they quickly became the highlight of Imogen’s week. Imogen is really social and she literally lights up when the entertainers start chatting and singing with her. I might not hear her vocalise for a whole week, but then suddenly during the half hour online with the Spread a Smile singers and fairies, she would have the biggest smile on her face, singing along in her own way.

“Imogen is now able to access school for a while during the week, but we continue our sessions with Spread a Smile. She can get so bored at home and it’s lovely to watch her join in, engage and have so much fun. It literally brings a tear to my eye and means so much to me as a Mum to be able to experience these glimmers with her.

“Due to the level of Imogen’s disabilities, a lot of support offered by other charities isn’t suitable for Imogen, but Spread a Smile meet Imogen in a beautiful way that reflects her abilities, ensuring she gets the most out of her sessions – it really is very special.

“Imogen and her two siblings were all sent Smile Hampers by Spread a Smile at Christmas and Imogen’s box was so carefully curated and well thought out, full of gifts that she could actually use and enjoy. We were so grateful for that.

“We’ve also joined some of Spread a Smile’s family events including a theatre trip with the whole family to see The Lion King in the West End and also the Winter Party. We were able to have much needed days out with the whole family and they are a brilliant way to meet with other children and families we’ve met in hospital. The events are a safe space to share experiences with people who understand what you’re going through. At the Winter Party Imogen just loved all of the music and entertainment – watching Anna and Elsa perform and eating cake. Her siblings got stuck in with all of the activities there, from face painting to arts and crafts. There really was something for the whole family.

“Spread a Smile has been our constant in recent times providing such wonderful support, fun and solace. As we continue to navigate life managing Imogen’s brain tumour and disabilities, it is nice to know that they are by our side, helping to provide some very special moments full of smiles.”

Just £30 will help fund an entertainer visit for a child in hospital.

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

Bay fell suddenly and unexpectedly ill when she was two years old, with a blood test revealing worryingly elevated levels of potassium leading to a sudden deterioration in her health and the discovery that Bay’s kidneys were failing.

Things moved very quickly with Bay being transferred immediately by ambulance from her local hospital to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

Mum, Jen said, “When ‘kidney failure’ was mentioned, my world collapsed. Bay was intubated as soon as we got to GOSH and I was told she wouldn’t survive the night. We had a fight on our hands from that minute, and Bay spent the next 2-3 weeks intubated whilst they stabilised her. It was a terrifying time as we didn’t know if Bay would survive, but after some complications and a month or so, she was moved out of intensive care to the renal ward at GOSH so we could start dialysis.

“Both myself and Bay’s Auntie learnt how to manage the dialysis so we could eventually go home and treat from there. After three months, we were back at home adjusting to our new life, with Bay on dialysis every night for between 12-18 hours every day. This lasted for three years.”

Spread a Smile first met Bay and her family early on in her journey when Bay was just two years old and an inpatient at GOSH.

“I’d taken Bay down to Coram’s Fields to play and we noticed that Spread a Smile had a party going on. Debbie from the team approached us and invited us to join in the fun and it was absolutely mesmerising. We were showered with love and support from the start and Debbie really took us under her wing, looking after us the whole time. She took our details after that and so our lovely relationship with Spread a Smile began.

“We would see the Spread a Smile entertainers as much as possible whenever we were in hospital and I couldn’t imagine life there without them there. Being in hospital can feel pretty bleak when you have a young child who isn’t allowed out of their room, let alone off the ward. You exhaust all the play options pretty quickly and it becomes harder to keep them entertained. But when Spread a Smile walk in, they inject happiness, optimism and fun straight away. The team got to know her and what she likes, distracting her from what’s going on medically and her spirits are lifted. They became like a reassuring blanket for Bay and even after 7 years, her face still lights up whenever she seems them.

“One year we went to the Spread a Smile Winter Party and Bay’s cousins came as well and we were all wonderfully spoilt. It’s so nice for Bay to do things with her family after all the trauma and to have the opportunity to have so much fun together.  

“The last 7 years have been really challenging at times, but when I think back, I can think of Spread a Smile in amongst it all and it’s nothing short of wonderful. For me, they bring familiarity, friendship, love and the sense of normality from just being able to watch your child play. You forget you’re in hospital when Spread a Smile are around and I can have five minutes to breath as I trust them and know she is safe and entertained with them. When Bay is happy, Mummy is happy!”

In August 2021, Bay underwent a kidney transplant and although the operation went well, there were complications which meant Bay spent another four months back in hospital, starting in intensive care.

“That was a tough time and once we were home it took a while to rehabilitate Bay. She’d become frightened of something bad happening, but Spread a Smile were there the whole time, offering support and distraction. Bay took part in virtual sessions with their entertainers and also loved it when they visited her in hospital. She does art sessions online and got to know her friend Aditi. They love meeting online to talk about what they are going to do.”

In December 2024, Bay was diagnosed with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a serious complication that can arise after organ transplantation. Bay started chemotherapy and immunotherapy straight away with initial concerns as to the prognosis due to her fragile cell count and kidney transplant.

“We went to a Spread a Smile LEGO event, and I found a shoulder to cry on in Ellie. I just poured my heart out to her as I couldn’t believe we were in that situation and having to go through even more heartache. And once again, Spread a Smile was there for us when we needed someone. Fortunately, the situation changed and Bay was able to switch onto blocks of aggressive chemotherapy.

“Bay has finished chemotherapy now and in November 2025, we found out that she is in complete metabolic remission and she rang the end of treatment bell at GOSH. We will still have lots of follow ups and checks, but we’ve come out the other side of the kidney transplant and she’s doing really well. And Spread a Smile are still there for us, with Bay doing 1-2-1 virtual art sessions which she loves, along with music and magic shows. Spread a Smile really are wonderful. A familiar, warm wonderful and I don’t know what we’d do without them.”

Just £30 will help fund an entertainer visit for a child in hospital.

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

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.

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.