Children in King’s Mill Hospital were given a large dose of fun when Starlight Children’s Foundation’s pop-up pantomime paid a visit.

Starlight is a national charity that grants once-in-a-lifetime wishes for seriously and terminally ill children. Every year the pantomime provides entertainment and distraction to over half a million poorly children across the country.

This year’s pantomime is Aladdin. Fully interactive, this brand new adaptation of the classic children’s story is full of fun and the young patients laughed, cheered and sang-a-long as the four actors performed for the children, their families and the staff.

Nicola Armstrong, Play Specialist at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 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 really does allow our young patients to forget about their illness for a short while and experience the magic of Christmas 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 Aladdin 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.”