Starlight Storytellers Tour is just what the doctor ordered at St Mary’s Hospital
Starlight Children's Foundation brought a big dose of sunshine to poorly children at St Mary’s Hospital earlier this week when its amazing Storytellers Tour paid a visit.
The starlight storytellers performed a fully interactive version of Alice in Wonderland which was full of fun for the young patients who laughed and cheered as the four actors sung, danced and performed for them, their families and the staff.
Tina Halton, Play Specialist at St Mary’s Hospital, said,
“We use play to help distract children from the pain and anxiety that they might be feeling as a result of their illness and there’s nothing like a good story to capture a child’s imagination.
“The children are always very excited ahead of a visit from the Starlight Storytellers Tour and we are very grateful to Starlight for providing the opportunity for our young patients to forget their illness for a short while and simply have some fun.”
Every year, Starlight provides entertainment and distraction to over half a million poorly children and the Starlight Storytellers Tour will give thousands of poorly children the chance to escape their illness and enter the magical world of storytelling, all from the safety of the hospital ward.
Neil Swan, Chief Executive of Starlight Children’s Foundation, said,
“All of Starlight’s activities are aimed at distracting children from the pain and anxiety that they might be feeling as a result of their illness.
“The Starlight’s Storytellers Tour is now in its third year and always proves extremely popular with hospitals and hospices alike. We’re delighted to be able to bring storytelling and fun to poorly children and we hope that the stories will be just what the doctor ordered!”
Matt Lee-Alliston, Managing Director of The Panto Company who produced the play, said,
“We’re thrilled to be working with Starlight again to bring interactive storytelling to so many seriously ill children. Our acting troupe can’t wait to hit the road and bring the magic of Starlight storytelling to children’s wards across the country.”
Starlight is national charity that grants wishes for seriously and terminally ill children and provides entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK. The eight week long Starlight Storytellers Tour will visit 92 children’s wards across the country.
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ABOUT STARLIGHT
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.
To refer a child for a wish or to make a donation, please go online at www.starlight.org.uk. For every £1 you donate, 92p goes towards helping Starlight’s very ill children.
N.B. Starlight should be referred to as 'Starlight Children's Foundation' or 'Starlight' never as 'the Starlight Children's Foundation', 'the foundation' or 'Starlight Foundation'.
