Katharine House Hospice takes Alison’s Story to Charity Awards in London
21 March 2025 | View all news
Katharine House Hospice represented our patient Alison’s animation at the Smiley Charity Film Awards in London!
At a glittering event hosted by model and presenter, Lisa Snowdon, at the O2 in Greenwich, Lydia from our marcomms team, and Mia, the brilliant animator behind our film, attended the awards on Alison’s behalf.
Out of a record 520 entries, our animation made it to the final 20 in its category – an amazing accomplishment we couldn’t have achieved without your votes. It has also helped raise awareness of the vital work we do.
Awards were presented by actresses Patsy Kensit and Patsy Palmer, presenter Jeff Brazier, Great British Sewing Bee’s Patrick Grant, singer Una Healy, and professional dancer AJ Pritchard, as well as many other familiar faces.
“This means so much to me”
Alison said: “This means so much to me. Just being able to get the message out there, to let more people know that hospices are so much more than end of life.
“It’s about living and making the most of living that life to the fullest extent possible.”
Marcomms coordinator, Lydia, said: “While Alison’s Story didn’t take home a Smiley Charity Film award, we’re so proud it was a finalist and everything Alison’s animation has and will achieve for others.
“It was such a brilliant night with so many inspiring charities from across the country.
“But this opportunity wasn’t about an award – it was about sharing Alison’s story.
“We can’t thank the Smiley Charity Awards enough for the awards which have helped raise more awareness of Alison’s film and for the complimentary tickets to the event.”
Making an impact
When Alison was diagnosed in 2017 with an incurable lung condition, pulmonary fibrosis, she didn’t know where to turn to for help.
Then she found our hospice which was “like a great big hug” and we’ve supported her ever since to help her manage symptoms and be able to cherish the moments that matter.
She didn’t want others to struggle like she did in the beginning and asked us to help spread the word about how hospices can offer support from day one of diagnosis – not only a place where people go to die, or only for people with cancer.
So being a finalist in these awards means her story has reached so many more people.
Head of marcomms, Ruth, said: “I am over the moon that Alison’s story is being heard by so many and that the film was a finalist at the Smiley Charity Film Awards.
“Lydia was half way through her apprenticeship and had talked about working on an animation with university student, Mia, and when Alison spoke to me about raising awareness about how hospices can help people, I knew this could work.
“Lydia and Mia worked with Alison to coproduce the animation and Alison provided the voiceover, and what a fantastic job they did.
“Well done to everyone involved in making this happen and a huge thank you to everyone who voted, shared, and supported us. You’ve helped make a real difference.”
