Children’s bereavement charity, Once Upon a Smile, once again brought glitz and glamour to their popular fundraising event – The Grand Ball.

Hosted at the iconic Emirates Old Trafford by the charity’s Co-Founders, Danny Miller (Emmerdale, I’m a Celebrity) and Daniel Jillings (Coronation Street), guests were treated to a magical night filled with live performances and spectacular entertainment.

Acts included Jo and Jon of S-Club, Katrina (formerly of Katrina and the Waves), The Trilogies, Princes of Motown, The Rock Choir, Alfie Andrew, and Max Fox, known for their performances on America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent. The evening was an unforgettable celebration of talent, generosity, and community spirit.

Thanks to the overwhelming support of our guests, sponsors, and volunteers, the Grand Ball raised an incredible £52,000!

Funds which will directly support bereaved children and young people through tailored sessions at the North West’s only dedicated child bereavement centre.

Since being founded in 2011, Once Upon a Smile has seen a significant rise in referrals for bereavement support. The charity remains dedicated to providing a safe, supportive environment where children can express their emotions and rebuild their lives after the death of a loved one.

We thank our partners, Taurus Security Group. The JD Foundation and event partners Roydon Group, Marc Darcy, Bessages, TRM Domestics Ltd and Phillips & Cohen Associates along with our loyal volunteers and supporters, for their continued contributions which helped us immensely with the event.

A special mention to HireRequirements, Green Contract Services, Hickling and Squires and Think! for their incredible support.

Once Upon a Smile is delighted to announce the generous sponsors supporting this year’s Grand Ball, an evening dedicated to raising vital funds for bereaved children and families. The event, known for its unforgettable atmosphere and incredible fundraising efforts, will be made possible thanks to the support of several key partners.

• Headline Sponsors: The JD Foundation and Taurus Security Group
• Event Partners: Roydon and Marc Darcy
• Drinks Sponsor: Besseges FM
• Instant Win Sponsor: TRM Domestics Limited and Phillips & Cohen Associates

And thanks to our friends at Green Contract Services and Think!

With their incredible support, this year’s Grand Ball promises to be more spectacular than ever, ensuring Once Upon a Smile can continue providing emotional and practical support to bereaved children when they need it most.

The Grand Ball will take place on Saturday 10^th May at the iconic The Point at Emirates Old Trafford and will feature an evening of entertainment, including special appearances by Jo and Jon from S Club, Katrina, formally of Katrina and the Waves, The Princes of Motown and Emmerdale favourites, The Trilogies. With more incredible appearances on the night.

There will also be an auction and raffle with some incredible prizes to be won.

It also wouldn’t be a Once Upon a Smile event without some extra sparkle on the night.

Tickets are now SOLD OUT!

We’re thrilled to introduce the brand-new Once Upon a Smile Newsletter-your go-to source for the latest updates, stories, and events from our charity!

Our newsletter will keep you informed about the incredible work we’re doing to support bereaved families, share inspiring stories from the children and young people we help, and provide exclusive insights into upcoming events, fundraising opportunities, and ways to get involved.

What to Expect

• Charity News – Updates on our latest projects and initiatives.
• Impact Stories –  Experiences from those we support.
• Upcoming Events – Ways to get involved and make a difference.
• Fundraising Highlights – Stories of amazing supporters and their efforts.
• Volunteer Opportunities – Join us in making a lasting impact.

Our newsletter will be released 3 times a year to provide our supporters updates on all things Once Upon a Smile

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website, designed in partnership with Think!, as part of a wider rebrand of Once Upon a Smile! This exciting transformation reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible support for bereaved children and families, ensuring they can easily access the information and support they need.

Working closely with the talented team at Think!, we’ve created a website that is not only visually engaging but also user-friendly, making it easier than ever for families, supporters, and professionals to navigate our services. The new site showcases our unique child bereavement centre, upcoming events, ways to get involved, and the impact of our work.

This website is a key milestone in our wider rebrand, ensuring that everything from our visual identity to the way we communicate our services reflects the warmth, creativity, and care at the heart of Once Upon a Smile.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Think! for their invaluable support in making this happen.

Take a look for yourself and explore our new website today!

Award-winning actors, Danny Miller (Emmerdale and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! winner) and Daniel Jillings, co-founders of children’s bereavement charity, Once Upon a Smile, will be taking on the Great Manchester Run this May to raise vital funds for the charity.

Best friends Danny and Daniel founded Once Upon a Smile in 2011 after recognising a significant gap in bereavement support for children following the death of a loved one. Their charity provides both emotional and practical support to help children navigate their grief in a safe and nurturing environment at Greater Manchester’s only dedicated child bereavement centre.

Taking place on Sunday, 18 May, the Great Manchester Run offers them both a chance to contribute personally to the cause they are so passionate about. It’s also an opportunity for the public to get involved, whether by running alongside them or by donating, to help raise funds for Once Upon a Smile. As they make their way through Manchester’s streets, the event will serve as both a fundraising effort and a moment to thank the charity’s incredible supporters.

We’re thrilled to announce that Charlie, a dedicated supporter from our friends at Smarter Home 4U, will be lacing up his running shoes to take on the 2025 London Marathon in support of Once Upon a Smile!

Charlie’s passion for making a difference shines through as he prepares to run one of the world’s most iconic marathons, all to help us continue providing emotional and practical support to families navigating the death of a loved one.

This incredible challenge is a true testament to Charlie’s dedication to our cause, and every mile he runs will help raise vital funds, ensuring bereaved children and young people receive the support they need following the death of a loved one.

Together, we can help families find hope and strength when they need it most. Let’s cheer Charlie on and show him the power of community spirit!

Thank you, Charlie, for going the extra mile – quite literally – for Once Upon a Smile. We’ll be rooting for you every step of the way!

Stay tuned for updates on Charlie’s marathon journey!

We are delighted to announce that Once Upon a Smile has been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to further our vital work supporting bereaved children and their families across Greater Manchester and beyond.

This grant will enable us to continue to deliver our tailored support at Sidley House, our dedicated bereavement centre, which provides a safe and welcoming space for children to express their emotions, build resilience, and receive the specialist support they need.

Once Upon a Smile is the only child bereavement charity in the North West with a dedicated centre for children-designed by children with lived experience. This funding will support children and their families, offering them the compassion and care they deserve.

Keep up to date with everything Once Upon a Smile by joining our mailing list.

A message from our Co-Founders…

On behalf of everyone at Once Upon a Smile, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your incredible support. It means the world to us you are part of our Once Upon a Smile family.

As many of you know, we are dedicated to providing emotional and practical support to children, young people, and families navigating the heartbreaking journey of experiencing the death of a loved one. Your contributions help us continue offering safe spaces, specialist support, and unique programs designed to bring comfort and understanding when it’s needed most.

Because of you, we’ve been able to deliver over 1,800 sessions for children as young as 2, continue to offer all 908 primary schools across Greater Manchester our We’re Here for You bereavement support and launch our new cinema room at Sidley House. We were also successful in the recent This is Manchester Awards as an organisation making a difference in the community. These are just a couple of the amazing accomplishments from our incredible team of 7.

These amazing achievements are also a direct reflection of your compassion and belief in what we do

We look forward to continuing this journey with your support and cannot wait to share more stories of the impact you’re helping us create.

Thank you once again. Have a safe December everyone.

Daniel and Danny

This year’s Once Upon a Smile Christmas Ball, held at the Mercure Manchester Piccadilly, was a spectacular success, bringing together over 250 guests for an afternoon of celebration, entertainment, and charitable giving. Guests enjoyed a glamorous afternoon with fine dining, festive cheer, and a shared sense of community.

The charity was set up by best friends and actors Danny Miller (Emmerdale) and Daniel Jillings (Coronation Street) in 2011 after recognising a significant gap in support for families following the death of a loved one, particularly for those grieving the death of a parent, child, or sibling or grandparent. Their commitment to providing both emotional and practical support has since helped countless children, and their families navigate their bereavement journey.

This charity event hosted by the co-founders featured breathtaking performances from talented artists, including the incredible Holly Ellison of The Voice, whose stunning vocals captivated the audience. Guests were also treated to the uplifting harmonies of the Rock Choir, the high-energy routines of Powerhouse Cheerleading, and a soulful set by the talented Jack Curley.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was a heartfelt speech by Mel, a parent who has been supported by Once Upon a Smile. Speaking alongside her young children, Mel courageously shared their family’s experience of the death of a loved one and the profound impact of the charity’s support. Her powerful words deeply resonated with attendees, highlighting the importance of the charity’s work in helping families through their most challenging times.

Thanks to the generosity of attendees, the event raised vital funds to help the charity continue its invaluable work, supporting bereaved children and young people.

This year’s event raised over £18,100.

Watch our Christmas Ball 2024 video below!

Audenshaw’s Christmas House Shines Bright to Support Children’s Bereavement Charity, Once Upon a Smile.

This holiday season, Audenshaw’s iconic “Christmas House” is lighting up once again, not only to bring festive cheer but also to support a cause close to many hearts. The extraordinary holiday light display at the beloved “Christmas House” is raising funds to support Once Upon a Smile, a Greater Manchester charity dedicated to providing essential emotional and practical support to bereaved children and families.

The family behind “Christmas House” has been transforming their home into a magical winter wonderland for years, delighting locals and visitors alike with twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a range of holiday-inspired displays. This year, they are inviting the community to enjoy the spectacle while helping raise funds for children’s bereavement charity Once Upon a Smile. They offer unique, comforting support to children and young people following the death of a loved one.

Based in Trafford, Once Upon a Smile operates the only child bereavement centre in the North West designed by children they support. Sidley House features specially designed rooms, including a cinema, arts and crafts space, and more, providing children with a safe environment to express emotions and explore their imaginations. Funds raised from Christmas House will directly support these efforts, helping ensure that grieving children and their families continue to have access to Once Upon a Smile’s compassionate support.

“The Christmas House is a fantastic example of community spirit, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support. The funds raised through this event will go a long way in helping us provide vital support to children and families facing the most challenging times. We hope everyone who visits the Christmas House feels the warmth of both the season and the difference they’re helping to make.” – Dan Jillings, Charity Co-Founder

How to Visit and Donate

The “Christmas House” at in Audenshaw, M34 5EW will be open to visitors from Friday 29^th November till the New Year. Entry is free, but visitors are encouraged to donate through cash donations on-site or via an online link.

Come join the Audenshaw community in celebrating the festive season while making a meaningful difference in the lives of bereaved children and families.

For the enjoyment and safety of visitors to the Christmas House, please make sure to park away from the attraction.