Cast of Cinderella at Alhambra Theatre visit BRI children's ward

The cast took a break from performances at the Alhambra Theatre to visit young patients at Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI).

Billy, aka Buttons, was joined by other members of the cast - including Emmerdale star Samantha Giles, who plays the Wicked Stepmother.

Children also met celebrity baker and Strictly Come Dancing finalist John Whaite (Dandini), Dale Mathurin (Prince Charming), Sarah Pearson (Cinderella), Phil Hitchcock (Magician Baron Hardup), as well as Wendy Somerville and Larissa Alexandrovnia (The Wicked Stepsisters).

The cast visited the children's wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary (Image: Newsquest)

Gifts donated by the historic theatre's team were also handed out to children.

Billy said: “It’s always a privilege to take a break from shows to come along to Bradford Royal Infirmary to visit the children. To see the smiles on their faces is the best medicine for everyone!”

Lisa Williams, Bradford Hospital’s charity head of fundraising, said: “At Bradford Hospitals Charity we are very grateful to the panto cast from Cinderella for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit the children’s wards.  It was a wonderful visit which created lots of smiles on the day, and the children and their parents really enjoyed chatting with them all and admiring their wonderful costumes.” 

The cast visited the children's wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

The visit was arranged by Bradford Hospitals Charity and the Charity’s Director, Sharon Milner.

It has become an annual event for patients in the care of BRI.

This year's panto cast visited wards 12, 30 and 32 on Thursday, January 11.

The cast visited the children's wards at Bradford Royal Infirmary (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Ward 12 is the hospital's children’s day-case unit. Children are admitted to this ward for day case surgery, blood transfusions and other tests and procedures.

Ward 30 is used for acute (emergency) and elective (planned) admissions, children and young people are admitted to ward 30 for a variety of conditions.

Children may be under the care of different specialities, and not necessarily under the care of a paediatrician.

Cinderella cast visits Bradford Royal Infirmary (Image: Newsquest)

The ward also includes a stabilisation area for children who are clinically very unwell and require extra care and support.

Children on ward 32 are referred to the unit from GP’s, midwives, community nursing teams and the Emergency Departments.

Anyone who wishes to donate to Bradford Hospitals Charity can find more information by visiting https://bradfordhospitalscharity.org/donate

Sharon said: “We are very grateful to Billy and his fellow cast members for taking time out of their busy schedule to visit our young patients.

“This has become an annual tradition and the children and their families – as well as staff – really look forward to the visit as there is always lots of fun and laughter guaranteed. It’s lovely to see the magic of pantomime brought to the hospital. The Alhambra is very generous in bringing gifts for the children too."