A new campaign aimed at bringing a smile to the faces of Royal Star & Garter residents is being launched ahead of Armed Forces Day (27 June).

Share a Smile invites members of the public to send in homemade videos aimed at bringing cheer to veterans cared for by the charity.

Submissions received so far include magic tricks, dancing dogs and musical performances.

Share a Smile follows the success of Royal Star & Garter’s Letters with Love campaign, which has brought much warmth and love to residents after the Homes paused visits from family members and entertainers in March. It is also inspired by school pupil Jemima, whose piano-playing videos entertain residents in the Surbiton Home.

The charity provides loving compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia, at three Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.

A resident said: “Letters with Love really brightened our days, we enjoyed them a lot. Now we are looking forward to seeing the Share a Smile videos.”

Pauline Shaw, Director of Care at the charity, said: “These videos will mean so much to the residents, who have been unable to see loved ones for such a long time. Letters with Love brought them an incredible amount of joy during a very difficult time, and I know Share a Smile will do the same.”

Share a Smile videos can be uploaded to https://starandgarter.org/shareasmile. All videos can be viewed on the same page.

To help set you on your way, Royal Star & Garter listed 10 possible Share a Smile ideas

• Sing a song
• Recite a poem
• Perform a trick with your pet
• Tell a joke
• Perform a magic trick or card trick
• Play an instrument
• Perform a dance or cheer-leading routine
• Read out an inspirational quote
• Perform a comedy skit
• Recall a funny memory