The Beatles Story ‘Bed-In’ is back to support local children with cancer this Christmas

In a tribute to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s iconic 1969 Bed-Ins for Peace, The Beatles Story at Royal Albert Dock is recreating the famous protest as part of its seasonal charity drive.

The Beatles Story Bed-In launches on 30 November 2024, inviting visitors to donate new pyjamas and essentials to support local children and teenagers facing cancer, in partnership with Liverpool-based charity Children’s Cancer Support (CHICS).

In early 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono embarked on two week-long Bed-Ins for Peace – one at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam and the other at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.

Knowing their wedding on 20 March would attract a lot of press, the couple used their honeymoon as an opportunity to partake in the non-violent, experimental protests and promote their anti-war message across global media as news of the Vietnam war flooded the headlines. As they sat in bed wearing pyjamas, John and Yoko invited the world’s press into their hotel room every day between 9am and 9pm.

In a revival of a similar campaign the award-winning attraction hosted in 2023, The Beatles Story’s staff will be taking it in turns to participate in a John and Yoko-inspired Bed In at The Royal Albert Dock’s Fab4 Café all day on 30 November and 1 December 2024. Visitors are invited to come along, take selfies with the bed (kindly supplied by Holiday Inn Express Liverpool) and drop off donations of new pyjamas in all sizes, from new-born to adult.

Children’s Cancer Support (CHICS) is a charity that was founded in 1986 to help support children who have been diagnosed with cancer, while providing support to their families. The charity was established by a group of parents whose children were being treated at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, who felt there was a need for parents to discuss their situation with other people who were going through similar circumstances.

The charity has grown in recent years, and they now actively support approximately 350 families. Their events enable families to get together, make great memories and feel they are part of a wider ‘family’. Everyone involved with the running of the charity has had a child with cancer, and this gives parents the reassurance to openly discuss their feelings and fears, knowing that others fully understand their situation.

Elaine Lang, Chairperson of Liverpool CHICS, said:

“On behalf of all our families we would like to say a very big thank you.  We are incredibly grateful to The Beatles Story for choosing Liverpool CHICS (Children’s Cancer Support) to support. We are grateful for the trust they have placed in our collaboration.  Their generous support will have a major impact helping on both fundraising and in raising our profile across the Merseyside area.  The work we continue to do is only possible with the kindness and generosity of people and businesses like The Beatles Story.”

Victoria Leyshon-Matthews, The Beatles Story’s Guest Experience Manager, added:

“By chance, I met Elaine, one of the Charity’s inspiring champions, during a visit to our café, and I was truly moved to learn about the incredible work CHICS does. Elaine and Chem, who lead the charity, bring such a profound impact to the families they support.

“I can hardly imagine the heartbreak of learning that your child has cancer, and then having to summon the strength to keep fighting for them while supporting your entire family through that journey.

“The stories they’ve shared with me have left a lasting impression, and I am genuinely in awe of the strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication they bring to help these families.
The work that CHICS does is absolutely essential.

“They provide emotional and financial support while also creating opportunities for families to find moments of relief and escape. At The Beatles Story, when we announced that we would be supporting CHICS, we discovered that one of our own team members had experienced childhood cancer and received support from CHICS during those difficult times. It is a true honour for The Beatles Story to contribute to the amazing work that this charity does.”

In addition to donations of pyjamas, CHICS is also accepting kind donations of toiletries, activity books and stationery. Please note that CHICS can only accept donations of new, unopened and unused items. 

If you can’t make it to The Beatles Story to drop off donations, please consider donating some much-needed funds to CHICS.

For more information on The Beatles Story Bed In click here.

Your ultimate guide to Christmas in Liverpool 2024 HERE.