London-based children’s charity using the power of laughter to help ill children receives a share of over £16.8 million National Lottery funding
A children’s charity, making seriously ill children across the country smile with specially trained performers called Giggle Doctors, receives £10,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to expand their service and reach more children.
The Giggle Doctor Programme has been running for 28 years at Theodora Children’s Charity, and is one of nearly 400 charities and community groups in London, doing vital work with communities, to receive a share of over £16.8 million in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund in the last three months.*
The Giggle Doctor Programme aims to create joyful encounters for children and their parents/carers in 22 hospitals and specialist care centres across England. The programme ensures that each child has a unique encounter, tailored to their interests, personalities and emotions.
The Giggle Doctors help to ease the concern of parents/carers as they see their child laugh, often for the first time since being in hospital. A visit from a Giggle Doctor will have a significant and lasting impact on a child’s wellbeing, by reducing stress and anxiety, and improving their experience of hospitals.
Eleanor was three when she was diagnosed with a low grade hypothalamic glioma brain tumour, first meeting Dr Geehee and Dr YoHo at The Royal Marsden.
Eleanor’s father, Tim, said: “It was our first encounter with the Giggle Doctors and one which we hold fond memories of. In fact, seeing our daughter laugh in hospital for the first time since being diagnosed brought tears of joy to our eyes.
“The Giggle Doctors went out of their way to understand that our daughter could not see their colourful costumes, decorations and pranks. Instead, they opted to tell her jokes, make funny noises and introduce nice smells. It was a huge distraction for a four-year-old going through some pretty horrendous times.”
After more than seven years of treatment, Eleanor continues to spend time in hospital and enjoys visits from the Giggle Doctors when they are in.
Eleanor said: “They always make my time at hospital very enjoyable. I’m 11 now and I don’t think they’ll ever stop making me laugh!"
Judi Byrne, Chief Executive of Theodora Children’s Charity, said: “A big thank you to National Lottery players and The National Lottery Community Fund for supporting the work of our Giggle Doctors. Whilst we are a small charity based in London, our Giggle Doctors work across England to bring joy and laughter to thousands of children and their families when they need it most. It is thanks to kind support like yours that we are able to continue to improve children’s wellbeing in hospitals.”
Helen Bushell, Head of Regional Funding for London, the South East and East of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players and the hard work and dedication of local projects like the Giggle Doctor Programme, this funding will make a big difference to young people’s lives in London and across the country. We’re delighted that our funding is being used to improve the wellbeing of young children and provide the support communities need to prosper and thrive.”
London isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that over £100 million of National Lottery funding has been awarded to almost 2,500 community groups in England in the past three months.*
National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week across the UK for good causes. The National Lottery Community Fund as a distributor ensures a share of this funding goes straight to communities, helping them to tackle important issues such as supporting young people into employment, mental health and climate action.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk