Helping sick and disabled children in the UK.

Summary

The goal at the heart of the Theodora Children's Charity is that every sick and disabled child in hospitals, hospices and specialist care centres across England has their stay made better by a visit from one of their unique Giggle Doctors. These professionally trained performers brighten the days of over 30,000 sick, disabled and terminally ill children each year. Every $15 received can help the charity send a Giggle Doctor to bring a wonderful, magical smile to a child's face.

$552,582
total goal

$510,960
remaining

284
donors

0
monthly donors

5
years active

Challenge

A stay in a hospital or a hospice can be difficult. For a child and their family it can be an anxious time full of worry, uncertainty, and in some cases boredom. Long stays can also present additional problems; disrupting friendship opportunities, play and schooling

Solution

The Giggle Doctors visit over 30,000 children in 21 hospitals, 3 hospices and 2 specialist care centres throughout the UK. They visit children of all ages, in all departments, to give as much comfort as they can at a time when the children, and indeed their parents, may be confused by the surroundings and frightened by what's happening to them. A combination of play, magic, music and fun can go a long way in proving that "laughter is the best medicine".

Long-Term Impact

The Giggle Doctors will provide a valuable service to children at an anxious time in their lives. An evaluation of our work, conducted by a Professor of children's nursing, has shown that the Giggle Doctors fulfil an important role in alleviating the stresses experienced by sick children during hospitalisation.