Soap stars deliver smiles to sick kids
FAMOUS FACES BRING CHEER TO POORLY CHILDREN WITH HOSPITAL VISIT
CORRIE stars past and present spread Christmas cheer at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Jennie McAlpine, Antony Cotton and Simon Gregson – aka Coronation Street’s Fizz, Sean Tully and Steve McDonald – visited the hospital to meet young patients and their families and hand out presents.
They were joined by former Street stars John Thomson, Ian Puleston-Davies and Chris Bisson, as well as Jason Done, who starred in Waterloo Road, and radio presenter Mike Toolan.
Simon, who is dad to three young boys, described the experience as ‘very rewarding.’ He said: “We came to bring some festive cheer and give out some presents for Christmas and brighten their day a little bit.
“I think it worked – we got quite a lot of smiles.
“It was very rewarding and I hoped it cheered them up a little bit.” Antony and Jennie visited Ward 75. “It’s been so lovely, we had such a nice time,” Antony said. “The parents, the kids... it’s just been so beautiful.
“It’s been a wonderful experience. We’ve met some lovely children.”
Jennie added: “Being in hospital over Christmas, it feels like it should be rubbish. But, actually, the staff are so good and everyone has Christmas deelyboppers on and they make Christmas really special for these kids.”
John, best known for playing Pete Gifford in Manchester comedy-drama Cold Feet, was children’s entertainer Jesse Chadwick on the cobbles, while Ian starred as builder Owen Armstrong until 2015 and Chris played Vikram Desai from 19992002.
Emmerdale actor Chris visited RMCH’s Starlight Unit, which is based at the Wythenshawe Hospital site, to speak to patients and their families and give out presents.
RMCH Charity director Sarah Naismith said: “Our incredible patrons are so supportive throughout the year but these Christmas visits are an extra special event for them.
“We were so pleased that so many of the celebrities were able to take time out of their busy schedules to meet the children and families on the wards. It means the world to the children and the staff and we can’t thank them enough for all their support at this time and throughout the year.”
To find out more about the charity or its Christmas appeal visit www. rmchcharity.org.uk.