Birmingham Royal Ballet performers visit poorly patients at Children's Hospital

Performers from Birmingham Royal Ballet took time out from their busy schedule to visit the cancer ward, putting some seasonal smiles on the faces of patients.

The dancers spoke with children, families and staff, posed for photographs in their glittering costumes and gave out signed stickers and photos as festive gifts.

Drew Barker-Wright, who is currently undergoing treatment for Chordoma – a rare type of cancer which forms on the spine – was one of many children thrilled to meet the cast.

The three-year-old, from Talgarth in Wales, has previously done baby ballet, but his condition means he now finds it difficult to even sit up in bed. Despite this, he was keen to show off his own moves and, inspired by meeting the dancers, he took to the floor to show off some of ballet positions, much to the delight of mother Melanie, who is also trained dancer.

She said of the meeting: "As soon as we told Drew the cast were coming to visit, he was so excited.

"He loves all things fairies so he took a particular interest in the Sugarplum Fairy.

"Since his diagnosis at the start of November, he hasn't been able to move much without being in a lot of pain so we weren't expecting him to want to get out of his pushchair to show what he could do.

"It was a really incredible moment for us."

John Daly, manager of Ward 15 at Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "We know it can be tough for our children and their loved ones at this time of year, which is why it's important to welcome the spirit of Christmas into our hospital. Visits like this do just that.

"It was fantastic to be able to welcome the Birmingham Royal Ballet dancers, who certainly brought some festive sparkle with them."

Pleasure

David Harmon, from Birmingham Royal Ballet, said: "It was a real pleasure for our dancers to bring the magic of The Nutcracker to the children and families at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

"Birmingham Royal Ballet has now been based in the city for over a quarter of a century, but the highlight is always visiting those places and people that make Birmingham remarkable, such as the hard-working staff and courageous young people at the children's hospital."