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Whittington's cat turns up to give kids a purr-fect festive gift

12/12/2001

IT WAS a purr-fect pre-Christmas surprise for the unfortunate children who are ill during the festive season.

While panto star Dick Whittington prepared for his prosperous journey down South, his amazing cat, Tommy, took a trip of his own.

He washed his whiskers and spruced up his bushy tail for a trip to the children's ward at Macclesfield hospital - to deliver a sack of Christmas gifts. Although some of the poorly tots he met were a little shy of the furry costume, Tommy, otherwise known as actor David Sullivan, gave a thunderous purr when his cat mask gift was received with a smile.

Tommy said only: "Miaow", but a spokesman for the Buxton Opera House translated during the visit. She said: "It is nice to be able to do something nice for the children."

The visit was arranged during rehearsals for 'Dick Whittington and his Amazing Cat', a traditional panto featuring former EastEnders star Shobu Kapoor, who played Gita.

Sister Alex Woore, of the children's ward, said ward staff also worked hard to make Christmas as enjoyable as possible for the youngsters in hospital during the festive season.

She said: "These visits and donations make all the difference to the children.

"On Christmas Day, we try and send as many children home as possible - but for those who cannot go home, we put presents at the end of the beds, and we have a visit from Santa."

Andrew Higson was in hospital to see his 15-month-old son Joshua, who had been on the ward for three days with a cough and cold.

He said: "I think it's brilliant what the staff do for the children. There are lots of toys and videos to keep them entertained."

And Diana Wentworth-Walker also praised the 30 ward staff when she visited her daughter Anna, nine.

She said: "I think they're wonderful. The staff are absolutely brilliant."

Dick Whittington will be staged at the Buxton Opera House from Saturday, December 15, until Tuesday, January 1. Tickets can be obtained from the box office on 01298 72190.