Children who have received radiotherapy at Bristol Haematology
and Oncology Centre have taken part in an Aardman animation to show
others what it is like to have the treatment.
Four children from the West Country and two from the Midlands
have had their voices recorded and given to animated characters
that feature in the short information film called One of a
Kind!
The film was directed by Aardman and ArthurCox director Emma
Lazenby. Emmas other credits include lead designer on childrens TV
programme Charlie and Lola and director of the 2010 BAFTA award
winning animated short film Mother of Many.
The animation was the brainchild of Jancis Kinsman, Advanced
Practice Therapy Radiographer at Bristol Haematology and Oncology
Centre, part of University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation
Trust.
Jancis says:
I felt that a short animated film with characters that young
children could identify with would be the best way to communicate
to them what it is like to have radiotherapy.
This film will be a valuable tool for preparing children and
their families for radiotherapy and will compliment the wonderful
work already done by specialist paediatric radiographers,
oncologists and play specialists around the country. 
I would like to thank all of the charities that have donated
funds so that this could be possible, the children and their
families for taking part and Aardman for doing such a fantastic
job. The animation is amazing and exceeds all of my
expectations.
Cameron Short, aged 11 from Shirehampton, Bristol, who received
radiotherapy at the hospital to treat a brain tumour, says:
It was really good fun to be part of the film. I really hope it
helps other children who need radiotherapy.
The film will be used immediately in the hospitals that have
supported the project and will be made available to all hospitals
across the UK.
Special thanks go to:
The children and their families
The hospital trusts for their input and support:
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Velindre NHS Trust
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
The charities that funded the film:
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity
The Friends of Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre
Birmingham Childrens Hospital Charities
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds
Above and Beyond
Velindre Cancer Centre Fundraising
Candlelighters Trust
Paim Brown Ward Charity Fund
The team who made the film:
Emma Lazenby (Director), Dave Ingham (Writer), Steph Owen and Laura
Pepper (Producer) and all at Aardman.
