Starlight is national charity that grants 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 and it will also stop at CUH Addenbrooke’s.
This year’s pantomime is Robinson Crusoe and it has been produced exclusively for Starlight by The Panto Company. 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-along as the four actors perform for them, 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 thousands of poorly children the chance to shout “He’s behind you!” from the safety of the hospital ward.
Play Specialist at CUH Addenbrooke’s, Karen Barnes said, “We love the activities, fun and distraction Starlight Children’s Foundation brings to the hospital and we can’t wait for the arrival of Robinson Crusoe. We know that play can significantly help to improve a child’s hospital experience and Starlight’s Christmas Pantomime gives our young patients a chance to forget their illness for a short while and simply have some fun.”
Sue Wildman, Head of Children’s Services at 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 and Starlight’s Christmas Pantomime is always hugely popular with hospitals and hospices alike. We hope that this performance of Robinson Crusoe will be just what the doctor ordered!”
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.
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For more information on Starlight Children’s Foundation, visit www.starlight.org.uk
For more information on CUH Addenbrooke’s contact: Louise.gosling@addenbrookes.nhs.uk tel: 01223 586 730
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Starlight Christmas Pantomime brings festive magic to young patients at CUH Addenbrooke’s
21 November 2014
Christmas is a particularly difficult time of year for children to be in hospitals and hospices so this festive season, Starlight Children’s Foundation will bring a big dose of fun and laughter to poorly children at Cambridge University Hospitals when its amazing pop-up pantomime pays a visit on 25th November at 3pm.