MAGIC FOR CHILDREN AT BRISTOL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL THANKS TO WARBURTONS

Wizzo brought fun and laughter to children at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children recently thanks to a donation from family bakers Warburtons.

The show was organised by POD, a charity which raises money for entertainers to visit hospitals across the UK to make children feel better during their stay. Warburtons has provided funding for the hospital’s monthly show for the next year.

All money raised by the charity is spent on entertaining children. POD administrator, Margaret Munford, said: “Over the past 30 years, POD has helped bring a little magic, fun and laughter into the lives of many thousands of sick children in hospital.

“POD can’t make children better but it can make them feel better and the mind plays an important part in the healing process. Happy children get better quicker. We currently organise 181 monthly shows at 150 hospitals and hospices throughout the UK but our ultimate aim is to provide shows at all hospitals and hospices which admit children. But these shows have to be paid for and it is thanks to donations from organisations such as Warburtons that our work can continue.”

Paul Hutchell-Lias, business development account manager at Warburtons South Wales and West depot, said: “As a family business, we’re committed to supporting projects which have a positive impact on the local community – projects such as POD.

“It was worth every penny just to see the smiles and giggles from the children during the show. It is obviously a very long day for them when they are in hospital, especially the ones that can’t walk around or go outside. The magic show is something that they all looked forward to and it made their day, which makes our involvement very rewarding.”

Elaine Eastman, play coordinator at the hospital, added: "POD has done a great deal to raise the spirits of the children on Cilgerran ward. The children were looking forward to the entertainment and it also shows that nice things do happen in hospital. It’s an invaluable resource."

As well as supporting Bristol Children’s Hospital, Warburtons is also sponsoring shows at hospitals in Newport and Llantrisant.