Need to speak to a member of our team? Call us on 0161 711 0339

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

Download Newsletter

Signing up for updates is easy!

Complete the contact us form below and be part of our journey.

Thank you for your continued support—we can’t wait to share our updates with you!

*T&Cs of joining our mailing updates here.

Mailing List

Join Mailing List

Name(Required)

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.

Dan Jillings, Co-founder and CEO of Once Upon a Smile, shared his thoughts on the collaboration:
“We are incredibly proud of our new brand and website and grateful to Think! for their expertise and dedication in bringing our vision together. This platform will make a real difference in how families access support. It truly reflects the heart of our charity, and we can’t wait for everyone to explore it. On behalf of the Trustees and staff, thank you to the team at Think.”

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.

Danny Miller, Co-Founder of Once Upon a Smile, said: “We hope to raise as much as possible for our charity and appreciate any support people can give. We’re also really looking forward to meeting other runners and supporters on the day!”

Daniel Jillings, Co-Founder of Once Upon a Smile, added: “I’m really excited to be taking part in this year’s Great Manchester Run with my best mate and with supporters of Once Upon a Smile joining in. With their help, we hope to make this our most successful Great Manchester Run fundraiser yet!”

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.

Join Danny, Daniel, and the Once Upon a Smile team in making a difference for bereaved children and families—one step at a time.

Donate

Post form

Register your spot now!

Name(Required)

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.

Charlie from Smarter Home 4U commented;

“I was delighted to be allocated a place to run the London Marathon for such a worth-while cause. I recently visited Sidley House and seeing the valuable work they do first hand has really spurred me on. My training is well underway and is going well.”

Donate here

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!

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

Thank you for standing with us and for being a vital part of our journey. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families during their most challenging times.

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

Learn more about the support we offer

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.

“We are overwhelmed by the support shown at this year’s Christmas Ball. From our fantastic performers to the amazing generosity of our guests, this event has helped make a real difference in the lives of the families we support. We are incredibly grateful to all of our guests, volunteers, event staff and to our sponsors Taurus Security Group for making our Christmas Ball 2024 one of the best yet.”

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.

“We’re thrilled to bring back the magic of Christmas House and are proud to partner with Once Upon a Smile this year,” said Jamie, Owner of Christmas House. “Every donation helps provide vital resources and support for children during some of their most difficult times, and we hope our display can be a beacon of hope and community spirit this season.”

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 29th 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.

Make a donation

We are thrilled to announce that we have been recognised at the This is Manchester Awards, winning “Organisation Making a Difference in the Community.”

This award celebrates our continued dedication to supporting bereaved families and providing vital emotional and practical support to children and young people during the most challenging times in their lives.

Winning this ‘Organisation makes a difference’ award is a testament to the hard work, passion and commitment of our team, volunteers and supporters. Together, we’ve created a space where families can find hope, healing and a brighter future.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported our charity, from our incredible staff to our supporters and donors who make our work possible. This recognition belongs to all of you.

Last week, Trafford Palazzo was buzzing with excitement as our charity hosted two spectacular events: our Once Upon a Smile Birthday Party and a high-energy Nerf Corporate Event. The venue was transformed into a hub of joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments, making it a day to remember.

Once Upon a Smile Birthday Party

The Birthday Party was a heartwarming celebration aimed at bringing smiles to the faces of children and families visiting the centre. The event was filled with fun activities, from craft activities to interactive games, ensuring that everyone had a great time.

A highlight of the party was the appearance of mascots of the charity and Trafford Palazzo Sidley and Maximus.

 

Sidley and Maximus Dancing Competition

Adding an extra layer of excitement to the day was a dance competition between Sidley and Maximus. Sidley the bear is known for his charisma and dance prowess, paired up with Maximus, The Trafford Palazzo bear. They created great entertainment for children and their families. Sidley managed to pip Maximus to become winner of the dance competition!

Nerf Corporate Event

On the corporate side, our Nerf Action Xperience event was a hit, offering a unique and engaging team-building experience. Employees from various companies came together to participate in exhilarating Nerf battles as part of our birthday celebrations. The event offered players different zones for competitive play, obstacle courses, and strategic planning sessions.

 

Congratulations to team Cargill for winning overall team!

The combination of the Once Upon a Smile Birthday Party and the Nerf Corporate Event made for an amazing day at Trafford Palazzo. The events provided a great start to our month of celebrations which will help raise vital funds to support our work.

We’ve been shortlisted!

We were also delighted to be told that we have been shortlisted for the Trafford Palazzo charity of the year. VOTE HERE

A huge thank you to everyone involved in particular Trafford Palazzo, Nerf Action Xperience, our volunteers, kind donations from KeyTeq, Taste & See and Café Sorrel and our guests.

Vote Once Upon a Smile for charity of the year!

We are delighted to announce that Aspire Scientific is now part of our Corporate Partnership Family.

Aspire Scientific, a leading medical writing and communications agency, will be partnering with us over the next 12 months. This collaboration will greatly enhance our ability to provide tailored practical and emotional support to bereaved children and their families.

Throughout the partnership, the agency will engage in a range of fundraising activities and help raise awareness of our charity.

“We are thrilled that the team at Aspire Scientific is joining our family. We are excited to work with them and are truly grateful for their support.” – Dan Jillings, Co-Founder & CEO of Once Upon a Smile

We extend our heartfelt thanks for their support and for choosing Once Upon a Smile as their charity of choice. We look forward to a fruitful partnership ahead!

“We are excited to embark on this journey with Once Upon a Smile. Our team overwhelmingly voted to support this incredible charity, and we have all been deeply touched by the meaningful work they do. We look forward to making a positive impact together.”

Philippa Flemming, Operations Director of Aspire Scientific