On Monday morning Carnival Cruise Line hosted Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF) families for a special Grinchmas Family Fun Day onboard the Carnival Splendor in Sydney Harbour, according to a company statement. 

To celebrate the second year of Carnival’s Grinchmas in July sailings as well as its partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises and SCHF, Carnival invited 50 patients and their families to join The Grinch and his sidekick Max for a day at sea. Children and their families were treated to the official giant Christmas tree lighting ceremony; sing-along caroling, themed ‘Grinchmas family games’ and crafts; a How The Grinch Stole Christmas storytime reading; appearances and family photo opportunities with Dr. Seuss characters; and themed meals and beverages. 

“For some kids, childhood is far from what it should be. Instead of playdates, there are appointments. Instead of sleepovers, there are stays. Instead of firsts, there can be lasts,” said Kate Ferguson, chief marketing officer of SCHF. “No child should have to go through this, but those who do deserve our all.

“Thanks to the generosity of Carnival Cruise Line, we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of the 159,000 children who come through the doors of our state’s children’s hospitals each year at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.”

“As a partner of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation for many years, the Carnival team loves being able to give back to patients and their families. Bringing them onboard for events like today’s Grinchmas Family Fun Day is always such a special experience,” said Carnival Cruise Line AU VP Kara Glamore. “Holiday memories are the best kind and Christmas is a whole different experience in the winter, so it’s amazing to be able to help create these fun and festive moments, especially for these deserving families.”

Present onboard was 13-year-old Matilda Jenkins, who has been a patient of Sydney Children’s Hospital Network since she was 24 hours old. Matilda was announced as the official Goddaughter of Carnival Splendor in 2018 when she was 6 years old. 

Carnival Splendor Cruise Director Simon London presented a cheque to Matilda and SCHF Chief Marketing Officer Kate Ferguson for $62,758, the total amount raised for Sydney Children’s Hospital’s Foundation onboard Carnival Splendor over the last year. 

Photo: Carnival presenting a cheque to the SCHF – L-R The Grinch, SCHF CMO Kate Ferguson, Carnival Splendor Goddaughter Matilda Jenkins, Carnival Splendor Cruise Director Simon London, Max