Tom Hanks brings Toy Story fun to Evelina London MediCinema
Posted on Tuesday 18th June 2019
Tom Hanks visiting 16-month-old Roman on Beach ward at Evelina London.
Hollywood legend, Tom Hanks, met Evelina London patients and their families at a special pre-release screening of Toy Story 4 at the St Thomas’ Hospital MediCinema.
Evelina London MediCinema welcomed Tom Hanks, to a special screening of Toy Story 4 on Monday 17 June. The Oscar-winning actor, who voices the character Woody, joined patients and families for fun activities, including face painting and balloon making. He then made a special visit to Beach ward to meet children and young people unable to attend the screening.
Leon Stacey, 32, from Chertsey in Surrey, father to 16-month-old Roman Stacey, who is being treated for kidney failure, said: “Meeting Tom Hanks was amazing. He was really down to earth and was very interested in Roman’s care. I think it’s brilliant that he gave up his time to visit patients. I’m a huge fan of his films. His visit has really made our day.”
Marian Ridley, Evelina London director, said: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome Tom Hanks to our hospital as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. His visit will have helped lift our patients’ spirits and add some fun to their stay.
“We are very proud of being the first Trust to offer a MediCinema for our patients and we know that many of our children and young people enjoy attending their weekly screenings. For 150 years we have changed the lives of our patients and their families and we are committed to providing them with the very best care and treatments.”
The MediCinema at St Thomas’ Hospital, on the same site as Evelina London, is one of six operating within the UK run by the national charity MediCinema. The service is also supported by funding from donations to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity.
Steve Crump, MediCinema chief executive, said: “This has been such a wonderful day for our young patients – to meet Tom Hanks and see a special screening of Toy Story 4 at MediCinema was such a joy for them. Both Tom and the Toy Story films have been a big part of people’s lives over the years and I know this is a moment that both the children and their parents will treasure.
“Many patients find life in hospital hard, so spending a precious few hours watching this uplifting film, as well as meeting the voice behind Woody, will make a real difference to their stay. We cannot thank Disney enough for making this happen for our patients and Tom for coming and making the screening a truly magical experience.”
The fourth film in the popular Toy Story franchise, Toy Story 4, is released on Friday 21 June.
As a long-term supporter of the charity, Disney worked in partnership with MediCinema to arrange the visit and screening. To date Disney have created a number of once in a lifetime activities across MediCinema sites, bringing the power of their stories and characters to help build emotional resilience, together creating Moments that Matter for children and those closest to them.
Did you know that we’re celebrating 150 years of Evelina London?
Since 1869, we've been saving lives, improving health and inspiring better futures. 150 years ago, Evelina London born out of love, when Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild founded the hospital in memory of his wife, Evelina.