By
Gary Moug
CINDERELLA might dream of going to the ball — but the only place she wanted to
be last week was Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
 X Factor star Nikitta Angus, who plays the fairytale princess in panto at Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre this winter, made a special appearance alongside her co-star, Scottish showbiz legend Dean Park.
The visit was arranged after the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation emailed the stars to tell them all about The Sunday Post Sick Children’s Appeal to raise money
for Scotland’s children’s hospitals.
They were only too happy to take time out from their hectic schedule to mingle with patients and staff — in full panto gear — and spread some joy around the wards.
Important
Dean Park, looking resplendent in his ugly sister costume, said of our appeal. “I think it’s fantastic. It’s important that people are made aware just how vital these children’s hospitals are.
“I have personal experience of the work that goes on here as
my grandson Ryan spent time in Yorkhill last year having a stomach operation. He was very ill but the treatment was phenomenal and the staff were great.”
Dean, who has been in showbiz for three decades as a singer, comedian, actor and radio presenter, says visiting children in hospital and helping brighten their day is one of the perks of his job.
“It’s great to see the kids smiling,” he said. “You have to feel for children stuck in hospital, especially at Christmas time. So it’s important to come and spend time with them.
Great pleasure
“I’ve done quite a few hospital visits and it’s a great pleasure and privilege to be asked along.”
Nikitta shot to fame as one of the 12 finalists on last year’s
X Factor series. She captured the hearts of the nation with her beautiful voice and poignant background, which involved caring for her mum Linda, who tragically died from breast cancer before Nikitta found fame.
She said, “I think The Sunday Post campaign is great. I feel honoured to be here today. It’s nice to see happy faces and be able
to give something back. I really enjoyed seeing the children’s smiles when we walked into the wards.”
Joan MacLeod, who is fundraising manger for the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, said, “We’re grateful to the Pavilion for making this visit possible.
“Having stars come to visit gives the children something to look forward. There’s always fun and laughter when celebrities visit and it brightens the day for patients and staff too.”
 IF YOU have a
special reason for contributing to or raising funds for our appeal
then we’d like to hear from you.
It could be that
you’d like to thank caring staff for the treatment they’ve
provided in your hour of need. Or perhaps a relative spent time in
one of Scotland’s children’s hospitals and the experience has
left a lasting impression on your family’s life.
Whatever the reason,
please let us know.
We’d be delighted
to share your experiences with our readers. And, who knows,
it may inspire others to follow in your fund-raising footsteps.
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Twins Olivia and Lucy Caldwell (7), from Inverkip, couldn’t believe their eyes when
one of their X Factor favourites came strolling along the corridor dressed as Cinderella.
Mum Kelly said, “They thought they were getting the afternoon off school as Olivia has a heart appointment. They’d no idea the panto stars were visiting and were in awe of Nikitta. They watched her on TV and what made it
even better is that Cinderella is their favourite character.”
The stars also spent time with Deklyn Bain (8), from Drumchapel, Glasgow. Deklyn’s been back and forward to Yorkhill for nine weeks after breaking his arm. He said, “I really enjoyed meeting them. I love
X Factor.”
Amy O’Keefe (4), from Cumbernauld. Amy’s in Yorkhill after breaking her thighbone when she fell getting out of bed. Amy’s mum Jayne Walsh said, “It’s been really good to see them. When they’re in hospital, kids get bored in bed all day, seeing the same old faces. “The panto stars have been bright and cheerful and took an interest in Amy. I think she was a wee bit starstruck — though she really enjoyed being able
to say hello to Cinderella!”
Among the children Nikitta and Dean met was 11-year-old Hannah Gilmour who needed skin grafts and has been visiting hospital since January after breaking her leg when she fell 150 feet climbing in Glencoe. Hannah, from Easterhouse, Glasgow, said, “I didn’t expect the ugly sister
to be a guy! They smiled and asked how I was.”
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