Youngsters step out to help in Bethany’s funds drive for hospice (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Youngsters step out to help in Bethany’s funds drive for hospice

12:00pm Friday 4th May 2012 in News By Emma Clayton, Leisure and Lifestyle Editor

Young performers from Horsforth’s Scala performing arts school will be taking to the stage to raise funds for Martin House children’s hospice.

The youngsters will be providing the entertainment at an event organised by Bethany’s Smile, a fundraising initiative set up by 12-year-old Bethany Hare, who has raised around £20,000 for the hospice so far.

Bethany won support from around the world after she dressed as Charlie Chaplin and sang his song Smile in an online video.

She founded Bethany’s Smile to raise money for children with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses and has won several awards for her achievements.

Now the youngster is organising a Walk of Smiles in aid of Martin House and Bethany’s Smile. The walk will be during Children’s Hospice Week, later this month, and registration is on Sunday, May 20, from 9.30am at The Harrogate Arms, Crag Lane, Harrogate.

The entertainment is due to start there at 10.30am, on an outdoor stage. Horsforth actor Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies and was recently seen in BBC1 drama The Syndicate, will join the 6.5k walk, which starts at 11.30am and is suitable for all ages, pushchairs, wheelchairs and dogs.

“Everyone is invited to wear either an outfit to make people smile, or lots of colour, and we have prizes for the best adult and children’s outfits,” says Bethany’s mother, Yvonne.

After the walk there will be more entertainment at a party featuring children’s rides, a barbecue and a raffle. Pinewoods Conservation Trust will be teaching children how to build bat boxes and bird houses, and there will be a falcon display.

Bethany will be singing on stage, and other acts include girl group Sweet Charity, vocalist Chloe Proctor, dancer Sophie Downham, actor Jack Downham, who plays Noah Tate in Emmerdale, and Swing Thing. Former Scala pupils taking part include Laura Ferrin, George Mulryan and Vicki Holmes. Presenting the show is Austin Gill, a Neil Diamond tribute act.

“This is going to be an amazing day of fundraising and partying,” says Yvonne. “The last walk in September raised more than £10,000 – let’s see if we can double this figure on May 20.

“Eighty per cent of proceeds raised on the day will be given to Martin House, and the remaining 20 per cent will stay with Bethany’s Smile.”

For more information, visit bethanysmile.org.