Christmas is a particularly difficult time of year for children to be in hospitals and hospices so this festive period, Starlight Children’s Foundation will bring a large dose of fun and laughter to children in Buxton Ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital when Starlight’s marvellous pop-up pantomime pays a visit on Saturday 17th December 2016. 

Starlight is a national charity that grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children and provides entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK. During an eight week tour, the Starlight Christmas Pantomime will visit children’s wards throughout the country, starting at Evelina London Children’s Hospital and finishing at Grace House in Sunderland.

This year’s pantomime is Dick Whittington and His Cat. Fully interactive, this brand new adaptation of the classic children’s story is full of fun and the young patients will get to laugh, cheer and sing-a-long as the four actors perform for the children, their families and the staff.

Every year, Starlight provides entertainment and distraction to over half a million poorly children and the Starlight Christmas Pantomime will give hundreds of these children the chance to forget their fears and surroundings and get into the festive spirit!

Emma Dolman, Matron for Children’s Services at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said, “We know that play can significantly help to improve a child’s hospital experience and we are very grateful to Starlight’s Christmas Pantomime for helping restore some festive fun to the ward. It provides our young patients with a welcome break from treatment and allows them to forget about their illness for a short while and experience the magic of Christmas; something that every child deserves.”

Sue Wildman, Head of Children’s Services at Starlight Children’s Foundation, said, “Starlight aims to distract children from the pain and anxiety that they feel as a result of their illness. Starlight’s Christmas Pantomime is a fabulous way of spreading some much needed festive cheer to poorly children and their families spending time in hospitals and hospices over the Christmas period. We hope that this performance of Dick Whittington will be just what the doctor ordered!”

Matt Lee-Alliston, Managing Director of The Panto Company, said, “We’re thrilled to be working with Starlight to bring this interactive performance to so many seriously ill children. Our acting troupe can’t wait to hit the road and bring some laughter and excitement to poorly children across the country this Christmas.”

For more information on Starlight Children’s Foundation, visit www.starlight.org.uk.

About Starlight 

For press enquiries about Starlight Children’s Foundation please contact Laura Thomas on 020 7262 2881 #231 or email [email protected].

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 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.

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, 91p 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’.