Children at Heartlands Hospital have been treated to a special storytelling performance from Starlight Children’s Foundation, helping to bring a big dose of fun and laughter to young patients.

Four actors sang and danced along to a narrated collection of well-loved children’s stories for the young audience. The performance included family favourites such as The Princess and the Pea, Charlotte’s Web and Three Little Pigs.

The Starlight Storytellers tour, which will visit 50 hospitals and hospices across the country, has been funded by Heinz’s ‘Get Well’ Soup campaign, which ran in January and February this year. The campaign asked the public to purchase personalised cans of ‘Get Well’ soup for loved ones feeling under the weather.

Christine Morrell, health play specialist at Heartlands Hospital, said: “We use play to help distract poorly children from the pain and anxiety that they might be feeling as a result of their illness and there’s nothing quite like a good story to capture a child’s imagination. We are very grateful to Starlight Storytellers for providing the opportunity for our children to enjoy this special treat. All the children loved it.”

Neil Swan, chief executive of Starlight Children’s Foundation, explained: “For many children a trip to hospital can be very scary and Starlight aims to provide services that will entertain and distract young patients during their stay. We are delighted to partner with Heinz for a second year on its ‘Get Well’ Soup campaign and very pleased that the Starlight Storytellers visit brought some wonderful stories to life for the children.”