Lights, camera, action! Our cinema gets its movie premiere!

The cinema features state-of-the-art kit such as a halo cinema screen with LED surround and 4K projector automatic motorised blinds and acoustic fabric walls – all donated for free by dozens of manufacturers and suppliers.

The families we support, some of whom can’t go to public cinemas because of their child’s condition, will be able to book their own screenings and enjoy films from a huge range available.

Attending the grand opening of the cinema today were three of the families we support, Melanie and Gifford Malcolm company directors of Bespoke Home Cinemas, Ian Morrish from Together for Cinema and representatives from some of the many suppliers who provided the amazing equipment. Plus some familiar faces from the movies! 

After watching a special screening of Disney’s new film Luca in the cinema, Kelly, whose son Miles was supported by Forget Me Not, said: “It’s more special than I ever thought it could be! After everything we’ve been through and with Miles’ sister Elsie and brother Jack missing out on so much, it’s so brilliant to have this!” 

Ian Morrish from Together for Cinema said: “This installation was our 26th charitable installation. The end result is quite simply magnificent and a fabulous gift to a children’s hospice that is pioneering in its level of care and attention to the children and their families that so need their help. Thank you to all the manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers who kindly donated all the fantastic kit free of charge. The approximate cost of the installation would have been around £40,000.”

Melanie Malcolm from Bespoke Home Cinemas said: “We have always wanted to donate one of our cinema rooms to charity and after recently celebrating our 25th year in business and Forget Me Not Hospice celebrating their 10th birthday, it’s a very special gift from us to them! This room will be one we at Bespoke Home Cinemas will hold as a special place in our hearts, hearing the pleasure and joy it will bring to the children and families makes all the time and effort worthwhile.” 

“We feel privileged to have worked on in this project,” added Gifford Malcolm, managing director of Bespoke Home Cinemas. “We wanted to provide the best room physically possible and with the support from our suppliers and installers, we did just that. For some children and families who sadly are unable to experience a commercial cinema environment, the room provides that ultimate cinematic atmosphere with a little sprinkle of magic.”

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen – being able to mark our 10th birthday with a fantastic state-of-the-art cinema is something we could never have imagined. It means the world to us to be able to bring the magic of the movies to the hospice, giving our families the chance to make very special memories together.