• Coronation Street actor and Hits Radio DJ drop into Starlight Children’s Unit for lantern-making session with young patients
• Manchester Foundation Trust Charity patrons have personal links to Trust hospitals
• MFT Charity Lantern Walk will take place on Saturday 9 November giving fundraisers opportunity to support Manchester hospitals

Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine and Hits Radio DJ and presenter Mike Toolan brought some added stardust to Wythenshawe Hospital this week, as they made paper lanterns with young patients on the hospital’s Starlight Children’s Unit.

The duo were visiting ahead of Manchester Foundation Trust Charity’s Lantern Walk event – a sponsored walk taking place at Heaton Park on Saturday 9 November. Participants can choose to fundraise for any of the 10 hospitals, clinical services and Local Care Organisations within the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust family – including Wythenshawe Hospital.

For Jennie and Mike, the work of the charity is close to both of their hearts, respectively.

Jennie says: “I’m so happy to visit the Starlight Children’s Unit. The last time I was at this hospital I was having my third baby, so it has a very special place in my heart. I’m so in awe of the amazing staff who make wards like this such a comfortable and fun place to be for children and families, even during can be a worrying and difficult time.”

Mike says: “It’s been great making lanterns today and seeing the fantastic work the staff do here at the Starlight Children’s Unit and throughout the Trust’s family of hospitals. I would encourage everyone to sign up to the Lantern Walk, it’s such a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to the great hospitals on our doorstep.”

The Lantern Walk will take place on Saturday 9^th November between 2pm and 6pm, and offers accessible, family-friendly routes, with 2km and 5km routes available as well as a quiet walk option.

As the sun sets on the park, participants turn their free lantern on to create a twinkling trail effect along the paths of the park. The event also involves free entertainment, food and drink stalls and a handful of free goodies for participants, kindly supported by event sponsors Happy Linen and Illumina.  Spotter sheets will also be available for children to interact with their surroundings along the route, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of the park.

Viv Williamson, Events Manager at Manchester Foundation Trust Charity says:

“It’s been great having Jennie and Mike at the Starlight Children’s Unit bringing smiles to young patient’s faces. We can’t wait to see the lanterns twinkling at Heaton Park.

This year’s Lantern Walk is better than ever with added goodies for everyone taking part and some great fundraising prizes from our fantastic sponsors. We’re extremely grateful to everyone that has signed up to fundraise for us and it’s lovely to see so many families involved that want to say thank you for the tremendous care they’ve received from our family of hospitals. There’s still plenty of time to sign up and we’d encourage everyone to come along and fundraise for a great cause.”

More information on the Lantern Walk can be found here: mftcharity.org.uk/events/lantern-walk