THIS January, staff at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) put on a magical performance with their annual charity pantomime, raising an impressive £7,500 for their own Hampshire Hospitals Charity.

The aptly-named show, Aladdin and The Magical Bedpan, saw over 700 tickets sold across two showings at Basingstoke’s The Haymarket on Saturday, January 7.

Made up almost entirely of HHFT staff, the cast included nurses, consultants, cardiologists and other healthcare staff who, in their day-to-day roles provide care for patients across hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester, Andover and Alton.

The show, for another year, has donated all proceeds to Hampshire Hospitals Charity and supports patients, staff and volunteers across HHFT’s hospitals. With funds raised, the charity can utilise donations for equipment investment, staff training, refurbishing wards, enhancing staff welfare initiatives and so much more.

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As part of the pantomime’s support for Hampshire Hospitals Charity, a large number of monies raised will support the charity’s flagship campaign, The Magic Lion Appeal, which is raising funds to improve child health services for children and young people seen across the trust’s sites.

Showing their support on the day were fellow HHFT colleagues and families from across Hampshire, as well as The Worshipful the Mayor and Mayoress of Basingstoke and Deane, who enjoyed the evening performance.

Julie Jones, the pantomime director and producer, said: “I am so thrilled that this year’s panto raised such an incredible amount for our brilliant hospital charity! As a former member of staff at HHFT, working for several years in child health, it fills my heart to know that some of these funds will support and enhance the hospital care of our children.

“The cast had a real blast on stage and the show was so well supported – I just can’t wait to do it all again next year!”

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The pantomime’s lead character Aladdin was played by first-time hospital panto performer and junior doctor Yunxi Luk Luk, who performed duets and dances on stage, while in his day job caring for patients at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

Before and after the performances, Jo Jo Sumaong playing Bonkers and Becky Ward-Webb as Genie Poo helped the charity’s fundraising team to collect over £800 in bucket donations.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive at HHFT and Trustee of the Hampshire Hospitals Charity, added: “We are absolutely amazed by the support of this year’s panto and feel incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful event happening for our charity each year."