Dec 8th 2023
We were delighted to welcome some very special guests to Salisbury Hospital to bring some festive cheer to patients.
Patients, visitors and staff at Salisbury Hospital got the chance to meet cast members from Dick Whittington, who are currently treading the boards at Salisbury Playhouse.
Lewis Bell, aged 14, pictured, who got to meet the panto cast when they visited Sarum Children’s Ward, said: “They were funny and really cool. It was a nice way to cheer up the day. The visit put a smile on my face and I feel happier.”
Annamarie Tongs, who’s currently being cared for at the Hospital’s Spinal Treatment Centre and met the panto cast during their visit, said: “It was a nice little surprise. We can’t go to the pantomime this year, but the panto has come to us. I felt a bit flat today but feel perkier after meeting the pantomime characters.”
The visit on Thursday (December 7th) was organised as part of our Stars Appeal Live programme. Stars Appeal Live is one of a range of wellbeing projects that the charity offers at the hospital, which are funded entirely by donations and fundraising.
Stars Appeal Live Co-ordinator Rebecca Seymour, said: “Stars Appeal Live is about brightening the days of patients with music and creativity, and what better way to add a festive twist to this by bringing panto characters to Salisbury Hospital. We are so grateful to the cast and Salisbury Playhouse for their time and support.”
Gareth Machin, Artistic Director at Wiltshire Creative, added: “Panto celebrates togetherness and the heart-warming spirit of the festive season, so we were delighted that some of the cast members from Dick Whittington were able to share the joy with patients at Salisbury District Hospital.”
The panto characters were transported to and from the hospital by Salisbury Reds who kindly laid on a bus for the occasion.
