Canford supports Christmas Panto broadcast to UK hospitals

Canford has donated its Tecpro communications equipment to ensure Newcastle Theatre Royal's Christmas Panto can be broadcast, free of charge, to hospital patients throughout the UK - Oh yes it will!

The original idea to film and broadcast the pantomime came from Howard Tait, a trustee of the Theatre Royal. He used to provide tickets, enabling poorly children to see the pantomime at Christmas, but later realised some of the children were unable to leave hospital. These kids were missing out, so he came up with the idea to film it and take the show to them instead.

Originally intended to be broadcast to children's wards in over 130 UK hospitals, the heart-warming project has since been extended. This year's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs pantomime will be available to all hospital patients across the UK, who can access it free of charge via the NHS bedside entertainment system.

Now in its seventh year, the panto hospital broadcast has become an annual project which the team at Canford are only to happy to support. Its success relies entirely upon the goodwill of everyone involved and the resolve of Newcastle based TV commercials producer Nicky Scott who pulls it all together.

Nicky Scott: "Without Canford's kind help I wouldn't be able to communicate with the camera crew on the shoot day. The Tecpro comms kit enables me to let them know what is about to happen, in a very fast moving show - and therefore allows us to get the best possible shots for the film that will ultimately be broadcast, for free, in hospitals right across the UK. That everyone gives up their time and loan of equipment for free each year to help make this happen is extremely appreciated. Hopefully it makes the lives of children and their families, who are in hospital over Christmas just that little bit brighter!"

Manufactured by Canford in Washington, Tyne & Wear, Tecpro is a 'two wire' or as it is sometimes known 'party-line' or 'ring' system which enables a number of people to take part in the same conversation. Each participant can hear all other participants on the same circuit while being able to talk to them simultaneously, so a full 'duplex' conversation can take place - similar to a telephone system.

Stephen Gallagher, Canford Marketing Manager added: "At some time or another we have all experienced being in hospital. Whether that's visiting or as a patient, they aren't great places to be! It can be a worrying time and I can't imagine what it must be like to find yourself poorly and missing Christmas festivities. I am really pleased to be able to support Nicky and the team with the panto broadcast. It's great to be involved and lovely to think our equipment will help in bringing much needed smiles to so many faces."