Union J star JJ Hamblett, along with the cast of this year's Gravesend panto Peter Pan, helped bolster spirits at the Ellenor hospice as they performed for elderly day therapy patients.

Guests and patients were in fits of laughter as they were treated to exclusive previews of upcoming scenes from the show, which launches this Friday, December 7.

This year's panto stars the former X Factor contestant as Peter Pan, while Robert Pearce returns as the hilarious Mrs Smee and Rob Cummings is back by popular demand as the tenacious Captain Hook.

 

Speaking to News Shopper, JJ expressed his delight at getting the opportunity to perform for the patients and putting smiles on people's faces.

"Just to know we're doing a job to put a smile on everyone's face. You know, just coming here today, seeing everyone laugh and enjoy it. All the people here have really gotten into it and it's been just a lovely day," he said.

 

For day therapy patients at Ellenor, weekly visits to the hospice provide much-needed companionship and social interaction which is imperative to those dealing with terminal illnesses.

Jean Brieussel, 64, who has grade three ovarian cancer, is a regular visitor at the hospice and says the support she finds through the weekly activities is "very important" for her as she battles with her condition.

"I can talk to all of my friends here, tell them things that I probably wouldn't say to my family because I wouldn't want to worry them.

"It really needs funds. People need to realise that it [Ellenor] has such an important part in our society and in our area," she said.

Jean also spoke about the misconceptions often associated with hospices but that people shouldn't be wary of coming along to these sessions.

"It's a very jolly place. People think 'oh gosh a hospice', they think that it's 'death's door' but we're not like that. They're supporting us here until we reach that stage," she said.

 

Peter Pan will run from December 7 until January 1 at the Woodville, Gravesend.