A LEIGH charity has put on a “magical” ballet show and afternoon tea to help children living with cancer and their families celebrate Christmas. 

Five ballet-loving children receiving treatment for cancer at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London Hospital were treated to the special event by charity Gold Geese.

The Elm Road-based charity provides practical and emotional support to families of children and young people fighting cancer.

A professional ballerina performed several dances from The Nutcracker, and the families received teddies, flowers and sweet cones and a £500 voucher.

Echo: Smiles - professional ballerina interacting with patientSmiles - professional ballerina interacting with patient (Image: Gold Geese)

One parent said after attending the show: “We had a magical day we will never forget.

“The girls have been dancing around like ballerinas ever since.

“We were thoroughly spoilt. It was lovely to see the smiles and giggles after a super tough year.

Echo: Joy - children at the Gold Geese Christmas ballet show and afternoon tea eventJoy - children at the Gold Geese Christmas ballet show and afternoon tea event (Image: Gold Geese)

“It has also given us a big boost before her next round of chemo.

“The gifts, flowers and John Lewis voucher were beyond generous, thank you so incredibly much.”

It follows another event earlier this month - a magical, private grotto party with real reindeer in Old Leigh, and a memorial festive wreath-making workshop.

Echo: Event - attendees of the Gold Geese Christmas ballet and afternoon teaEvent - attendees of the Gold Geese Christmas ballet and afternoon tea (Image: Gold Geese)

The charity was founded by Katie Southgate in 2018 following her child’s cancer diagnosis, who is now cancer-free, to help other families.

Katie Southgate, Gold Geese founder and chief executive, said: “Christmas with cancer is very tough but thanks to our brilliant community’s kindness and generosity, we can bring back the joy and sparkle for our gold children and the amazing, hard-working nurses who look after them.

“The children and adults were all mesmerised by the beautiful ballet dancer pirouetting her way around the room, it was a very immersive and magical experience.

“A huge thank you to our beautiful ballerina Natasha and our volunteer Ava who helped on the day.

Echo: Elegant - ballerina Elegant - ballerina (Image: Gold Geese)

“We also want to thank every one of our supporters for helping us provide magical memories like this for families facing cancer, this Christmas and all year-round.

“We’d like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.”