By Ellen Blessington | Senior Community and Communications Fundraiser
By combining music, play, magic and storytelling our 22 Giggle Doctors bring joy and laughter to brave children in challenging times. Giggle Doctors aim to reduce stress and anxiety, increase opportunities for play and improve children’s wellbeing. So far this year, you have helped us bring silliness, fun and magical moments to 1,000 children every month living with serious illness, disability, and serious health challenges.
A special story from Dr Teapot
'I just wanted to share a beautiful moment Dr Mish Mash and I had. We were visiting a young boy, and he was giggling away when suddenly the mum appeared to get emotional. At the end she said it was the first time they'd heard him laugh. I said, 'Oh recently, this week?' and she said, 'No...ever.'
She explained that he'd had a tracheotomy since birth and they'd never actually heard him laugh, and she was overwhelmed and overjoyed at finally knowing what his giggle sounded like." - Dr Teapot
Thank you to our wonderful supporters who help our Giggle Doctors create magical memories like these for children and their families during challenging times.
Our Impact so far this year
Check out the impact our Giggle Doctors have made so far this year by watching this short video below.
A day at Addenbrookes Children’s Hospital
Isabel Squires our Programme and Quality Coordinator shares this wonderful story of her time spent on the wards at Addenbrookes Children's Hospital with Dr Mish Mash and Dr Geehee.
“This is my favourite part of my job, the days when I hop on the train to go and meet the Giggle Doctors at a hospital.
On one ward we visit, all the curtains are closed around the beds when we arrive, which makes the room a little gloomy. Dr Geehee asks a boy his name and introduces him to the child in the bed opposite. And then something magical starts to happen. By the time we leave the curtains are all thrown back, the room flooded with light, and all the children know each other’s names.
Every person there is smiling, and as I follow Dr Mish Mash’s bright blue shoes out of the room, I hear the chatter across the beds, “Did you see when she had the poo sticker stuck to her chin?”, “They were so silly!” Just for a few minutes children and adults alike are united in a moment of shared playfulness which transports them somewhere new."
Click here to read Isabel's full story and the positive impact the Giggle Doctors had on her journey in the hospital.
Thank you
We were so grateful to have your support, it is thanks to supporters like you that we are able to bring joy and laughter to children in hospital when they need it most. As a small charity we have seen our income impacted in the last few years, meaning now more than ever we are relying on the generosity of our supporters to help us to continue bringing magical moments to children and their families.
"Through the rich imagination and skill of the Giggle Doctors, we have helped children to escape the hospital environment and enter a colourful world filled with humour, music, magic and adventures.” - André Poulie, Founder
Here's to many more moments of fun, play and Giggle Doctor adventures for children in hospital this year!
If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please email enquiries@theodora.org
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