Starlight brings a dose of fun to poorly children with a panto

The Starlight Children’s Foundation has been working hard to restore the magic of the festive season to these children and their families with its recently-launched Christmas of Happiness Campaign.

As part of The Starlight Christmas of Happiness, poorly children across the country will be able to enjoy a wonderful performance of Aladdin from the safety of the hospital ward. Created exclusively for the charity by theatre group The Panto Company, the eight-week panto tour will visit 100 hospitals and hospices, bringing festive fun and entertainment to sick children and their families throughout the UK.

Starlight Children’s Foundation will be bringing their pantomime to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) on Friday 13th January at 3.00pm.

While transporting every hospital audience to Aladdin’s magical world, each interactive performance will give seriously ill children a chance to escape the pain and anxiety that they can feel as a result of their illnesses and simply have a bit of fun.

Emma Dolman, Senior Nurse – Paediatric In-patients at NNUH said: “This time of year can be a really difficult time for kids that are stuck in hospitals and hospices and Starlight’s pantomime really gives our young patients and their families something to look forward to. While the panto can really help cheer up a poorly child’s day, it can also help to take their minds off their illness and this in turn can have a positive effect on their condition and response to treatment.”

Claire Farr, who plays Wishy Washy, said, “We are thrilled to support Starlight’s Christmas of Happiness with the pantomime tour. The aim of the panto is to bring some much needed fun and entertainment to the many poorly children that are stuck in hospitals and hospices over Christmas and we really hope that they all enjoy the show!”

To find out more about the Starlight Christmas of Happiness, go online at www.starlight.org.uk/events/starlight-christmas-of-happiness/. To make a donation, please text WISH to 70123 to donate £3 to Starlight or to refer a child or to make an online donation go to www.starlight.org.uk. For every £1 you donate over 91p goes towards helping Starlight’s very ill children.

Notes for editors

Starlight grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children, restoring the magic and fun of childhood and giving the whole family happy memories to share, whatever the future holds.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK. Sick children go to Starlight parties, laugh their way through pantomimes, go out on Starlight Escapes, play games and watch films on the Starlight Fun Centre, and enjoy the toys and puzzles of the Starlight Distraction Box. Happy children respond better to treatment and Starlight helps children to forget about their illness and simply have a bit of fun.

At least 20,000 children will spend time in hospitals and hospices across the UK over Christmas and this year Starlight will be inviting the nation to bring some much-needed fun, entertainment and distraction to young patients during the festive season.

For press enquiries please contact Henny Breakwell on 020 7262 2881 or email henny@starlight.org.uk.