Why laughter is the best medicine for red nose doctors
How Oor Wullie’s favourite medics clown around to cheer up youngsters on ward
They say laughter is the best medicine. Well, after a visit from the Clowndoctors, little Tamara Demel couldn’t agree more.
Tamara, six, from Clydebank, was admitted to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children on Sunday after suffering a seizure.
“It came completely out of the blue,” mum Heather, 38, said.
“Tamara lay down on the kitchen floor and I thought she was just tired but we soon noticed it was a seizure.
“It lasted about 24 hours so was pretty scary.
“She’s never had any history of being unwell and never been in hospital so it has all been a bit daunting. They’re doing tests so we’re still not sure what caused it.
“But the Clowndoctors certainly cheered her up. I haven’t seen her laugh so hard in ages.”
The Clowndoctors, with their silly red noses and yellow coats, are a ray of sunshine for sick kids in hospital across the country.
They prescribe a dose of fun to young patients in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and bring a welcome distraction from the intensity of illness and treatment.
The scheme is the brainchild of charity Hearts and Minds and is just one of the play programmes supported by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and the ARCHIE Foundation – the beneficiaries of Oor Wullie’s
BIG Bucket Trail.
This summer, the campaign fronted by the nation’s favourite son will see at least 150 Wullie statues go on display for families to enjoy before the sculptures are auctioned off to raise funds for the three amazing charities that help care for nearly half a million babies and young children every year.
From next June to September, the colourful statues of the spiky-haired scamp
– all uniquely designed – will be placed around Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
The chosen beneficiaries – Glasgow Hospital Children’s Charity, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity and the ARCHIE Foundation – work closely with hospitals, offering invaluable financial support to ensure children get the best possible treatment and support.
Each of the charities funds Clowndoctor visits to the hospitals they support. The Clowndoctors play a critical part in supporting the mental health of many children who spend time in hospital, complementing the outstanding medical care they receive from the NHS.
Clowndoctors come from a range of backgrounds but mainly performing and theatre.
One you might recognise from TV is River City star Carmen Pieraccini, who plays Kelly-marie Adams in the