The magic of faith, trust and pixie dust will be spreading around the children's wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital in coming weeks.

Children staying at the hospital will be able to enjoy the Octagon Theatre's performance of Peter Pan this Christmas with their family and friends after the Octagon’s Chief Executive, Roddy Gauld, saw the charity’s winter appeal and wanted to help.

As part of the Octagon's support for Our Bolton NHS Charity, the production of Peter Pan is being filmed to stream on the TV screens around the hospital at Christmas and bucket collections are being dotted around to raise money for the Our Bolton NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital charities.

Sarah Skinner, Our Bolton NHS Charity Manager, said: “We were absolutely delighted to be contacted by the Octagon with their offer of support and we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of audiences who have given so generously after each performance.

“The money raised from these collections will contribute towards small acts of kindness that will make a big difference to our patients in hospital this winter, including presents for every patient in hospital over Christmas.”

Roddy Gauld, Octagon Theatre Chief Executive, said: “I’m sure anybody would feel for those who need hospital treatment over Christmas, particularly children.

“Small acts of kindness can mean a lot and we’re really glad to do what we can to bring some festive cheer for patients, families and hard-working staff.

“As a charity ourselves we know that Bolton audiences are extraordinarily generous – they’ve supported us brilliantly throughout the pandemic – and we’re absolutely thrilled to see the buckets filling up with donations for this wonderful cause.

“Thank you to everyone who has given so far.”