Astrum has chosen Welsh hospital charity Pod to support in 2008.

Pod was formed more than 30 years ago and will this year provide more than 1,800 shows to young patients throughout the country. It supports hospitals in their efforts to make children's stay in hospital as pleasant as possible by bringing in magicians and other entertainers.

Each show costs around £50, paid for by the charity's backers, and Pod estimates that it will perform before 20,000 children this year.

Dr Gillian Whitfield, managing director of Astrum, said: "We worked out that it costs about £5 to put a smile on a child's face, which isn't much when you consider the fear of uncertainty they can face when they are in hospital."

For more details on how you can support Pod, please visit www.podcharity.org.uk, or call 01938 810374