This November, as families have flocked to cinemas to experience the country’s #1 film – Disney’s Frozen 2 – we have been working in partnership with Disney UK, to create hundreds of magical moments across the UK to benefit seriously-ill children and those closest to them.
We’ve been delighted to work with Disney to harness the excitement and storytelling of Frozen 2 to create special moments for seriously-ill children that bring comfort and inspiration to families ahead of the festive season. Frozen 2-inspired celebratory events have also helped us raise awareness for our work and essential funds, which helps both children and families and the 54 children’s hospices that provide lifeline care and emotional support for them.
On Saturday, Disney UK’s Festive Celebration – enjoyed by hundreds of seriously ill children and families at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham – was the latest event to create incredible moments this autumn and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Dreams came true when the families stepped into the fully immersive Disney experience of the Frozen 2 Arendelle Adventure, Mickey and Minnie’s Winter Wonderland and the Toy Story 4 Carnival. The children enjoyed a sensory journey in the enchanted forest to meet Anna and Elsa, made real snow with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their festive jumpers outside the gingerbread house, and took on the carnival crane machine to rescue the Aliens with Woody and Jessie. Over 100 families caring for a child with life-limiting or life-threatening condition attended and created incredible moments together.
Mum and Dad Louise and Aaron, who attended the party with their two daughters were asked how they felt about the day. “Amazing, just amazing,” said Louise. “We didn’t know what to expect anyway, but never in a million dreams would we have expected this, absolutely amazing”. Dad Aaron continued, “There’s so much to do, and the staff have just been amazing, it just completely makes the day.”
“The girls favourite thing has been Frozen 2,” added Louise. “Meeting Elsa and Anna, dancing with Arendelle’s characters, they absolutely loved it, it’s been amazing – we loved it.”
Never in a million dreams would we have expected this, absolutely amazing!
Louise, Mum who attended Disney's Festive Celebration
“We are proud to be long-standing supporters of Together for Short Lives,” said Sara Hanson, Disney EMEA’s Director of Charitable Programmes. “Together, we strive to provide comfort and inspiration for seriously-ill children and those closest to them when it’s needed the most. The inspiration of such a powerful story as Frozen 2 that has such well-loved characters has enabled us to instigate new moments of togetherness, allowing us to include everyone who is passionate about supporting this cause on this journey and helping more families make the most of their time together through Moments that Matter.”
We are proud to be long-standing supporters of Together for Short Lives. Together, we strive to provide comfort and inspiration for seriously-ill children and those closest to them when it’s needed the most.
Sara Hanson, Disney EMEA’s Director of Charitable Programmes
Other Frozen 2 events that helped us raise awareness and essential funds this November included:
- Families caring for seriously ill children across the north-west of England experienced an unforgettable and magical day with Disney’s Frozen 2 characters Elsa, Anna and Olaf to mark the launch of Marks and Spencer’s Kidswear festive collaboration with Frozen 2 and Together for Short Lives. The in-store partnership is helping raise funds for the charity.
- To celebrate the European Premiere of Disney’s Frozen 2, children’s hospice workers were given the Queen of Arendelle treatment to shine a light on their incredible work with seriously ill children and their families in hospices across the UK. Disney UK and Together for Short Lives said a special thank you to these Moment Makers at a dedicated reception and by offering them a well-earned place on the Frozen 2 ‘white carpet’ at the Central London premiere. Together for Short Lives patron Holly Willoughby attended the premiere with her family and enjoyed meeting some of the Moment Makers. Children’s hospice staff relished the chance to create their own special moments and memories with their own families whilst celebrating the release of Frozen 2. “Thank you for having my family and I at the Frozen 2 premiere. It was such a brilliant occasion and will always be a special memory for us.” said Andrew Orman, Senior Care Team Manager for Julia’s House children’s hospice.
- Together for Short Lives and Disney UK also hosted a magical Frozen 2 Ball, with the charity’s patron Simon Cowell, a few days before the film’s release. The evening was a spectacular night for the ball’s special guests full of Disney magic, joy and togetherness. They were wowed as they joined the Frozen 2 Ball room which was transformed into an enchanting Arendelle Autumn Festival adorned in gorgeous reds, golds, yellows and browns. Guests were able to explore Arendelle’s Town Square, meeting special characters including the Mayor, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff. The Frozen 2 Ball raised over £400,000 which will help the charity continue to support families caring for seriously ill children across the UK, helping them make the most of every moment together by providing vital care and the support they need.
Together for Short Lives CEO, Andy Fletcher, added: “It’s been a great privilege to work with our long-term partner Disney UK in celebrating the release of Frozen 2 and creating incredible Moments That Matter for the UK’s 49,000 seriously ill children and families. We have a shared passion and social purpose to improve the lives of these children. At its heart, Frozen 2 is a film all about family being together, and throughout this November Disney UK has already created hundreds of magical family moments inspired by the world of Arendelle and Disney magic.”
It's been a great privilege to work with our long-term partner Disney UK to celebrate the release of Frozen 2 and create incredible Moments That Matter
Andy Fletcher, CEO Together for Short Lives
“From hosting an ultimate festive Disney party for hundreds of seriously ill children and families, to celebrating the lifeline children’s hospice “moments makers” who provide vital care to children every day of the year, it’s all helped us raise much-needed funds so we can continue to provide lifeline help to families and to support the 54 children’s hospices we work with across the UK. Together, we can help make memories that will last a lifetime.”
Together for Short Lives partnership with The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland began in 2017 when the charity was selected as one of their four strategic charity partners within their Social Purpose Programme, where they work in partnership with others to help build emotional resilience. Disney UK brings the power of their brand, stories and characters to inspire and create moments that matter for children and those closest to them, when they need it the most.