York Dungeon Actors Make Visit to York Hospital on Behalf of Merlin’s Magic Wand

On Tuesday 16^th December Jester and Smedley from the York Dungeon paid a visit to the children’s ward at York Hospital to hand out gifts on behalf of Merlin’s Magic Wand. Taking some time out from delivering scares, the actors from the York Dungeon ensured there were smiles and laughs all round as the Jester and Smedley brought some festive fun to the children who were on the ward on Tuesday.

 

Mark Mattinson, General Manager at the York Dungeon said “The York Dungeon is honoured to be gifting presents to children at our local Hospital. A great opportunity for us to spread a little Christmas cheer in the unique spirit that only the Dungeon and our talented team can do! We’re proud of where we live, and to be able to do something so magical for children who need it most is something spooktacular”. 

 

The visit was delivered in partnership with York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity. York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity raises vital funds to help make a real difference to patients, funding improvements to the hospital environments and services beyond that which NHS funding alone can deliver. Becky White, Community Fundraiser said: ‘’ We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support from The York Dungeon team. It’s wonderful to see a local business helping us spread festive cheer and bring smiles to the faces of the young patients and their families during what can be a particularly challenging time in hospital over the Christmas season.”

 

Georgi Barker from Merlin’s Magic Wand added, “At this time of year, it’s so important to remember to shed some magic and gift memories like this to children, and their families, who may not get to enjoy the countdown to Christmas as they’d planned. I’m deeply grateful and proud of the teams at the York Dungeon and York Hospital for collaborating with Merlin’s Magic Wand to spread some festive joy and bring some magic to those who need it most this December.

 

It’s our aim at Merlin’s Magic Wand to create magical experiences for children who need them most. Magic On Tour allows us to take the magic of our attractions out and into places where children spend a lot of time. Hosting parties, lessons, plays, performances, shows, and interactive sessions in hospitals, hospices, and special education needs schools.

 

Being able to make magic for children is something we’re incredibly proud to support”.

 

The two Dungeon characters who visited on the day were the Jester and Smedley from the York Dungeon Walking Tour. The Jester told us “"Who knew giving the gift of HISTORY to all those spectacular children and families at the York Hospital could bring so much joy?! Seeing those eyes light up and bright smiles has certainly thawed my cold, dark heart. I've come home to the York Dungeon and am feeling somewhat f... f... f... festive? Uggh! I'm going to have to go and walk barefoot on the cobbles of the Shambles."

 

Smedley meanwhile added “I loved it. I made soooo many friends. We spoke about Christmas trees... hugging them and sniffing them! Sooo many friends. Nicky was greeeaaat and the children made me laugh so hard! Nicky showed me the presents room and I wanted to stay but Jester told me I need to go have a wash. Next year maybe!”

 

The York Dungeon have also held a number of fund raising initiatives for Merlin’s Magic Wand this year which have raised £1,000 for the year for the charity partner to Merlin Entertainments whom the Dungeon are a part of. This included a Dungeon Takeover night where the non-acting employees perform the shows for the acting team, a bake-off sale, and their Guest Experience Team Leader Sean Alton even collected sponsorship to shave off his hair after not having it cut for three years, with the hair donated to the Little Princess Trust charity.