Children at Birmingham Children’s Hospital have had an exciting start to the New Year after some very special visitors dropped by their ward.

Characters from the Hippodrome’s pantomime, Cinderella, paid a visit to the Children’s Hospital yesterday (Wednesday 24 January) to help spread magic among the Ocean Ward, which looks after children who need complex care.

Five members of the cast including Suzanne Shaw (Cinderella), Beverley Knight (Fairy Godmother), Gary Watson (Dandini), David Dale and Ceri Dupree (The Ugly Sisters) surprised the children and took time out speaking to families and staff as well as signing autographs and posing for photographs.

Alia Murtaza, Ward Sister on Ward 10, said: “We can’t thank the Hippodrome enough for making this visit happen. It’s such a special treat for our children and families; it gives them a real lift – especially those who have recently spent Christmas with us.

“We’d like to thank everyone at The Hippodrome who helped make the visit happen as well as the fantastic stars who took time out of their busy schedules to pay us a visit.”

Thanks to the generosity of theatre-goers, we’ve raised over £23,000 since we started supporting the Children’s Hospital charity in the year 2000.

Rob Macpherson, Director of Marketing and Development at Birmingham Hippodrome, said; “This is a fantastic result and we’re delighted so many visitors have donated so generously over the years.

“We were thrilled to be able to bring a little bit of panto magic to the staff and patients at the Children’s Hospital yesterday. To see the smiles on the childrens’ faces and the looks of surprise and delight from staff will stay with our cast for a very long time, I’m sure.”

For more information about Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, visit: bch.org.uk, email fundraising@bch.nhs.uk or call 0121 333 8506.