Anna from Frozen and Poppy from Trollz are sending free happy birthday messages to children in lockdown

Hoping to brighten people’s days is Helen Wallis, a performer and teacher from Bedhampton, who has been running The Ultimate Dance Parties - Portsmouth for the past year.

So far, Poppy and Anna have featured in more than 100 birthday video messages which have been sent as far as Singapore - and Helen is hoping to do more for anyone who wants one.

All she needs is the child’s name and the date of their birthday, and a special personalised message will be sent out to cheer up children experiencing their strangest birthday yet.

Helen, who has a five-year-old daughter, said: ‘It takes me a matter of minutes to send it out but hopefully it makes their day a little bit. I’m happy to send it to anyone.

‘Because I’m a mum, I know my daughter would be over the moon. I would want my child to have the best birthday ever even in lockdown, we’re all in the same situation.’

Before lockdown came into place, Helen was also regularly visiting children in Queen Alexandra Hospital to sing and dance with them in costume.

With this now impossible, favourite characters Anna and Poppy are keeping in touch by sending get well soon messages through the hospital staff.

Adapting to the new rules of life has led to a whole new type of virtual birthday party through Zoom, which Helen started when a London mum had to cancel her daughter’s Frozen-themed birthday.

‘I really enjoyed myself and I got really good feedback so I thought people might want this.’ Helen said.

Children can be treated to a Trollz-themed party or a party with Anna for 30 minutes, costing £30, or one hour, which costs £50.

Helen is hosting a Trollz dance party with Poppy the troll which anyone can enjoy on Monday, costing £3.50 as a voluntary contribution which will see 10 per cent being donated to the children’s ward at the hospital.

For more information, visit facebook.com/theultimatedanceparties or visit helenwallisentertainment.com to learn more about her online musical theatre and dance fitness classes.

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