THE ORIGIN

Margaret Munford MBE has run POD Childrens Charity since 1990 and was awarded
her MBE for services to POD Childrens Charity in 2013.
The name POD came about through the seeds of FUN, MAGIC and LAUGHTER being contained
within a POD. POD Childrens Charity was founded in 1977 by David Jamilly who remains Chair of Trustees.

THE VISION

POD Childrens Charity is a nationwide charity which organizes entertainment for children in hospital.
POD Childrens Charity helps to alleviate the trauma of a hospital
stay by sowing the seeds of fun, laughter and feeling better.

POD Childrens Charity magicians, puppeteers, musicians and clowns create smiles, happiness and bring joy to the lives of children in hospital. This is now recognised to be of crucial value to these children. They give monthly shows in over 150 hospitals and hospices
throughout the UK.

POD Childrens Charity has always believed that happy children get better quicker.
When POD was founded in 1977 hospitals gave little thought to the emotional needs of sick children.
In those days longer term hospital stays were more common.
Visiting times for parents were restricted and outside stimulus for children in hospitals was almost unheard of.

Times have changed dramatically and POD Childrens Charity is proud to have been part of the progress in the
thinking, attitude and approach to children in hospital.

THE DREAM

With lots of help from so many people, POD’s dream is nearly complete as we already work in 80%
of the relevant hospitals and we are now looking to the future – a 100% coverage and more secure
longer-term funding so that POD’s good work can continue into perpetuity.