Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People is delighted to announce ventriloquist and award-winning comedian Nina Conti as its newest patron.

Nina visited the East Midlands’ only children hospice last month while filming a documentary on giggle doctors. She was so moved by children and young people she met, she wanted to get on board.

During her visit, Nina talked to the young people and parents about her work as a giggle doctor as well as entertaining families and staff with her side-kick puppet Monkey and her famous masks.

As a Rainbows Patron, Nina will be supporting the hospice in whatever way her schedule allows, which will be invaluable in raising the profile of the charity.

Nina said: “Visiting rainbows was wonderful, I had never been to a children’s hospice before and was nervous before arriving, but what I found was a warm loving place with emphasis on fun and happiness. Meeting the staff and the families was a real privilege. I am absolutely thrilled to become a patron.”

Andy Campbell, chief executive at Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, added: “It was wonderful when Nina visited us at Rainbows. She brought with her so much laughter and positivity and everyone who met her, loved her. To have her on board as our newest patron is very exciting and we are extremely happy she has pledged her support to us. As ever, we are very grateful to all of our patrons and ambassadors for the wonderful work they do for Rainbows and for promoting the charity all over the UK.”

Including those from Nottinghamshire, Rainbows cares for 318 children and young people with life-limiting and terminal illnesses as well as supporting 293 bereaved families and 597 siblings. Through its outreach efforts into East Midlands paediatric oncology units, Rainbows is also caring for a growing number of the region’s children with cancer.

For more information, visit www.rainbows.co.uk

Pictured is Nina with Brandon Fick at Rainbows