MediCinema at Alder Hey is charity recipient of The Guide Liverpool’s Heroes 2025

The Guide Liverpool is marking MediCinema’s first anniversary at Alder Hey by making it the charity recipient of its inaugural HEROES 2025 awards.

It means all proceeds from raffles and donations made at the awards ceremony being launched later this month will be presented to the state-of-the-art in-hospital cinema.

The MediCinema, which set its reels rolling at the city’s renowned children’s hospital on November 24 last year, shows the latest movies for free and has transformed the hospital experience for thousands of young patients.

The project is a partnership between the MediCinema charity, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Revealing why he chose the MediCinema to be first beneficiary of the HEROES 2025 awards which will celebrate the incredible individuals, fundraisers, organisations and businesses who have made Liverpool City Region ‘great’.

The Guide Liverpool founder and director Jay Hynd, says:

“Alder Hey Children’s Charity has always been a charity close to our hearts at The Guide Liverpool. I don’t think there’s anyone from the area whose heart it isn’t close to if I’m honest.

“The MediCinema does so much good all year round, to offer children and their families the escapism they need.”

“It’s now become a vital part of care at the hospital, so we need to do all we can to ensure it’s supported.”

Since it began, the MediCinema has welcomed 3,529 through its doors with 130 inpatients (11% of all inpatient attendees) having gone to it in their hospital beds.

This year alone, it’s shown 384 hours of film so far with two of the most popular movies being Minecraft and Lilo and Stitch.  Wicked: For Good will be screened as a special preview the day before it opens to the general public on November 21.

Zoe Viney, individual giving and legacy manager for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, says:

“We’re delighted to be the chosen charity this year for The Guide Liverpool’s HEROES 2025. 

“Since opening our MediCinema, it has truly lived up to everything we hoped for and more. 

“For our children and young people who spend long periods of time at Alder Hey, being able to step away from the ward and enjoy a proper trip to the cinema with friends and family, while still receiving the care they need, has made such a positive difference to their wellbeing. 

“We’re so grateful to our donors for continuing to support the running costs of this project year on year. It really has become such a valued part of Alder Hey.” 

The feedback from patients and their parents speaks volumes: 

* “Being able to attend MediCinema with our son meant so much to us as a family. It was a beautiful moment of normality and joy during a difficult time. Seeing him smile and enjoy the film made us incredibly happy.”

* “A brilliant experience. Enables normality during a time of distress when families are split apart from day-to-day life.”

* “It was amazing. It makes such a big difference to get off the ward. The fact that siblings can also come is incredible. I felt so happy to be able to give my daughter a treat on her visit to see my son. I am so grateful.”

Laura Smith, MediCinema manager, says:

“Patients and families have told me that the MediCinema has transformed their experience here at Alder Hey. One dad said that we had saved their summer holidays and kept everyone together as a family.

“Messages like that make everything worthwhile, so the incredible support of The Guide Liverpool and all their friends at the inaugural HEROES 2025 is just amazing. 

“The MediCinema charity is dedicated to bringing the magic of cinema to as many NHS patients as we can across the country and I am extremely proud to be here at Alder Hey, the only MediCinema in a solely paediatric hospital and the first in the North West.”

The Guide Liverpool HEROES 2025 awards, brought to you by Liverpool Cruise Port and in Partnership with San Carlo Restaurants, will be held at the Titanic Hotel on Friday, November 21.

Awards are split into 16 different categories, focusing on everything from community projects, charities and emergency services to sports heroes and influencers – sponsored by Liverpool Cruise Port, San Carlo Restaurants, Morecrofts Solicitors, Liverpool ONE, Open Media, Radisson RED Liverpool, BOXPARK Liverpool, Wild Thang, Hits Radio, Sedulo, Gaskells Waste Services, and Liverpool BID Company

Jay says:

“We were absolutely overwhelmed with the amount of nominations and votes we had. Now we’re really looking forward to shining a spotlight on so many worthy winners.”

Find out more about MediCinema here.

Find out more about The Guide Liverpool Heroes here.

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