SCOTTISH Ballet dancers surprised children and young people at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) as they were revealed behind a living advent calendar door this Christmas.
Dressed in full costume, Scottish Ballet dancers who are performing Cinderella at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre met those who are spending their festive period in hospital this year.
The event was a continuation of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) ‘Big Christmas Door Appeal’ – a campaign that is seeing a different calendar door open each day at the RHSC, with something exciting behind each.
Following the reveal, Scottish Ballet dancers Aisling Brangan, Araminta Wraith, Grace Horler and James Hobley toured the hospital with the children, taking pictures and giving pro tips to young aspiring dancers.
Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager at ECHC, said: “The continued support from Scottish Ballet means so much to us and to the patients in the hospital.
“Whenever the dancers come to visit, all the children’s faces light up when they see them in their costumes – it really is such a treat for us all.
“Our Big Christmas Door Appeal is all about providing festive fun and joy for the children who will be spending time in hospital over Christmas, so that they can be a child first and patient second.”
Chris Hampson, CEO and Artistic Director at Scottish Ballet said: “Once again we are delighted to be visiting the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, whilst Scottish Ballet perform Cinderella in Edinburgh this December.
“At Scottish Ballet, we believe that dance is for everyone, and we are thrilled to be able to bring a taste of the magic of the production to those in hospital over this festive period.”
The cast have visited the children in the hospital for the last three years at Christmas time – bringing festive cheer to patients and their families.
ECHC believe that nothing should get in the way of being a child and exist to transform the experiences of children and young people in hospital.
The charity works to make sure that children and young people’s lives are less interrupted by illness. It distributes around £1.5 million per year in support of the work of the RHSC and other children’s healthcare settings across Scotland.
Scottish Ballet’s production of Cinderella is currently on a national tour, visiting Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle from 8 December 2018 – 2 February 2019.
For information on how your business can sponsor a door, volunteer or raise money, please contact Amy Ford on 0131 668 4949 or amy.ford@echcharity.org.
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