Smiling Hospital Foundation Budapest, Grand Gala 2014

This was the 10th Anniversary Grand Gala of the Smiling Hospital Foundation. The Smiling Hospital Foundation - whose motto is “Happiness helps healing”-, sends 450 volunteer storytellers, puppeteers, musicians, jugglers, etc. into the children’s ward of 23 hospitals in Hungary.

Studies have demonstrated that raising the spirits of children confined to hospital speeds their recovery. The foundation also donates needed child-specific medical equipment to Hungarian hospitals. The theme of the 10th Anniversary Grand Gala was a “Brazilian Carnival.”

The evening was full of exciting entertainment featuring mentalist Danny Blue and the performers of the Brazilian Cultural Centre (dancers, singers, drummers, Brazilian Capoeira acrobatics, etc.) The Beny Perez Combo from La Bodeguita Restaurant was providing music for dancing.

And to raise even more funds, there were auctions and tombola prizes, including a round-trip flight for 2 to Rio de Janeiro from TAP Airlines, a round-trip flight for 2 to North America from Turkish Airlines, a signed and dated Rubik Cube, and many more.

It was evident that the motto “Happiness helps healing” is true, as everyone on the night was enjoying helping others, and long may this continue.

Words and photos by Russell Skidmore for XpatLoop.com
After an extensive career in advertising - as an Art Director & Creative Director in London, Paris and Budapest for leading agencies - Russel transferred the skills and knowledge gained to the development of his own successful company covering wedding, event, PR and portrait photography: www.russell-skidmore-photography.co.uk