14 Dec 2023 Community

Lawrence Batley Theatre panto cast brings smiles to The Kirkwood patients

The Kirkwood In-Patient Unit patients and staff had some very special guests on Wednesday the 13th December as a pantomime cast from the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield came to help spread some festive cheer for our patients to enjoy. 

The cast which included Cinderella came to our site in Dalton for a wonderful afternoon visit. The cast usually delights crowds of 400 people plus in their popular panto, filling the room with colour, laughter and magic. Much like the actors and actresses on stage in their costumes bringing smiles to people's faces, our very own heroes and heroines in our nurses and doctors bring light and joy to what can be a difficult time for those in our care. 

The cast spent time with patients on the In-Patient Unit talking to them, they interacted with our nursing team and made a fantastic impression on what was a drizzly and grey Wednesday afternoon. 

The Kirkwood Events Manager Rachael Savage said of the cast's visit: "We are delighted that we can provide a bit of festive fun to our In-Patient Unit with some of the Lawrence Batley Theatre panto cast coming to visit our patients and their loved ones this December. 

“Panto always brings a smile to people's faces, and we constantly work hard to make the site at Dalton as friendly and as uplifting as possible. 

“I love Panto myself, and I'm sure our patients and their families will enjoy the visit too. Christmas is a special time of year but it can be difficult too for many people we care for with a life limiting illness so any bit of light hearted fun of 'they are behind you, ohh no they aren’t' is something we were excited to see. 

“Huge thanks to the cast for coming along to spread the cheer in what is a very busy time for them."

Becky Dash, Chief Executive of Lawrence Batley Theatre, added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to work alongside the team at The Kirkwood this Christmas to spread joy and give those in need a special experience. 

“Pantomime is all about creating magic – having fun, being silly, forgetting your worries and watching the good guys win. 

“I am so proud of this team, who in the middle of a grueling 47 performance run absolutely jumped at the chance to visit The Kirkwood and the patients over the festive period. It’s a privilege and a pleasure to be able to share a little extra joy and magic this Christmas, as theatre has the very special power to do so.”

With your support, we are able to give those in our care the chance to make the very most of their last Christmas. Will you help by making a donation today? For more information and to make a donation, please click here: https://www.thekirkwood.org.uk/christmasappeal