The festive season brought joy to the children’s ward at University Hospital Wishaw as the cast of an Aladdin pantomime visited to brighten up the young patients’ days. The cast members, from Shona Halford MTDA Performing Arts Centre in East Kilbride, donned their panto costumes, handed out gifts and sweets, and added a touch of magic to the hospital ward. The heartwarming gesture was made possible by Laura McCarron, whose daughter Anna, a former patient and an MTDA student, spent a challenging Christmas in the ward due to health issues.
Last Christmas, Anna was hospitalized at Wishaw after suffering a ruptured appendix, spending most of December, including Christmas Day, under medical care. Laura reflected on the tough time her family went through, expressing gratitude for the kindness and support they received during that period. Wanting to give back and spread some cheer, Laura organised the visit by the Aladdin cast to the hospital ward this festive season.
Shona Halford MTDA, where Anna and her younger sister Emily are students, rallied behind the cause and arranged for the cast members to visit the hospital. Clad in their vibrant costumes, the cast members, including characters like Widow Twankey, interacted with the children, distributed gifts donated by friends and family, and brought smiles to everyone’s faces. The visit aimed to uplift the spirits of the young patients and their families during a challenging time, embodying the true spirit of Christmas.
Shona Halford MTDA, a theatre school celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, continues to nurture the talents of local children. With successful performances like Aladdin under their belt, the school is gearing up for their next show, The Wizard of Oz, as part of their anniversary celebrations. Principal Shona Halford expressed her honour in being able to bring joy to the children at Wishaw Hospital and highlighted the community effort to spread kindness and cheer during the festive season.
The visit by the Aladdin cast not only brought smiles to the children’s faces but also exemplified the power of generosity and compassion. In the spirit of giving back, the act of kindness resonated with the true meaning of Christmas and inspired others to spread joy to those in need. As the season of goodwill continues, such gestures remind us of the importance of coming together to support and uplift one another during challenging times.