In a heartwarming initiative, former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff and his wife Rachael are leading a £1.1 million fundraising campaign to establish Manchester’s first in-hospital cinema. The proposed 50-seat theatre, to be built by the charity MediCinema, will cater to patients of all ages at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, offering them a much-needed respite from the challenges of their hospital stays.
Rachael Flintoff has emphasised the transformative power of film, stating that the “magic of cinema” can provide a source of joy and escapism for those “going through some extremely tough times.” The cinema will host a range of programming, including previews of Disney films and opportunities for young patients to meet Disney characters in person, further enhancing the experience.
The Flintoffs’ fundraising appeal, launched in December, has already garnered over £300,000 in donations, with Rachael describing the community response as “incredible.” She expressed her gratitude for the support, saying, “Every single donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to making this dream a reality for patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary.”
The in-hospital cinema, which will be located in a former lecture theatre at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, will be accessible to all of the trust’s sites on its Oxford Road campus. It will feature cinema-style seating, accommodating wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical equipment, as well as inclusive features such as subtitles, audio descriptions, and sensory-friendly screenings. Up to 260 films per year will be shown, supported by trained volunteers, with the option for personalised screenings for patients in particularly sensitive circumstances.
The MediCinema charity, which has already established similar facilities in other NHS hospitals, including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, has a proven track record of bringing joy and respite to patients and their families. At Alder Hey, the cinema has hosted screenings, including Disney film previews, allowing young patients to meet characters from the movies.
Nathan Askew, the chief nursing officer at Alder Hey, has praised the MediCinema, stating that it brings “joy through the power of the movies to our children, young people and their families, some of whom can be at Alder Hey for long periods.” He emphasised the importance of patients being able to “escape their room and have a day out to the cinema with friends and family, whilst still receiving vital clinical care.”
The Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, which is overseeing the project, is equally enthusiastic about the potential benefits of the in-hospital cinema. Fiona Ashcroft, the charity’s chief executive officer, has described the cinema as a “sanctuary of joy and a much-needed escape for our children, young people, and their families during challenging times.”
This innovative initiative promises to bring a touch of magic and respite to the lives of patients and their loved ones in Manchester, offering a much-needed escape from the realities of hospital life.
