Liam Conlon MP sees Spread a Smile in action at King’s

25 April 2025 - Local MP sees how charity is bringing joy to children

On Wednesday 23 April 2025, Beckenham and Penge MP Liam Conlon joined Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive of the charity Spread a Smile, on a visit to King’s College Hospital.

Spread a Smile works in partnership with the Play Team at King’s College Hospital, entertaining paediatric inpatients to spread smiles, and bring joy and moments of respite.

During his visit, Mr Conlon met with young patients, their families and King’s staff, and witnessed first-hand the powerful impact of the charity’s in-hospital entertainers.

Mr Conlon, who spent several years undergoing hospital treatment, said: “Today’s visit was very special to me because it is personal. I spent years growing up on NHS children’s wards as a teenager after an accident at 13, and I owe so much to the NHS.

“I’m so grateful to the Spread a Smile team and the staff at King’s for the incredible work they do every single day.”

Lucy Jackson, Chief Executive of Spread a Smile, said: “We were honoured to welcome Liam Conlon MP to see our work in action. His personal connection to the NHS and empathy for families facing serious illness brought a powerful sense of understanding and support to the visit.

“At Spread a Smile, we know that joy and distraction are essential parts of a child’s care journey. We’re incredibly proud to work alongside the wonderful team at King’s College Hospital, bringing light and laughter to children who need it most.”

Anna Clough, Site Chief Executive at King’s College Hospital, said: “It was wonderful to spend time with Spread a Smile and be able to show Liam Conlon MP how children and parents at King’s benefit from the joy and laughter that Spread a Smile entertainers always bring. Hospital stays can be particularly difficult for children receiving care, as well as their families, and the charity’s work makes a huge difference.

“The whole Spread a Smile team is so enthusiastic about helping our younger patients and their families have a happy, positive experience in hospital, even in the toughest of times, and we are always grateful for the time they spend on our wards.”

Spread a Smile currently partners with 39 NHS hospitals and six hospices across the UK, delivering in-person and virtual entertainment. For more information, visit https://spreadasmile.org/