It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. The Giggle Doctors have been prescribing it to amazing effect for the past 18 years.
Despite playing the fool, these professional performers from the Theodora’s Children’s Trust are highly trained in child psychology and child bereavement. Packed with jokes, physical comedy and even balloon animals, their 15-minute visits have helped put smiles on the faces of more than half a million youngsters.
Their work at hospitals across London is made possible by Help a Capital Child, a charity that assists not-for-profit organisations supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable children.
Help a Capital Child offers annual grants of up to £5,000 to a huge variety of grass-root projects. Along with the Meningitis Research Foundation, it was chosen as a beneficiary of Deutsche Bank UK’s 2012 Charities of the Year programme.
“We understand that what successful projects need more than anything is ongoing capital to invest in their day-to-day running costs,” says Nicola Bott, Help a Capital Child’s Corporate Fundraising Manager.
Deutsche Bank’s 2012 Charities of the Year programme is expected to raise more than £1m for each of its beneficiaries. That means Help a Capital Child will be able to assist an extra 300 projects, as well as maintaining its support for the likes of the Theodora’s Children’s Trust.
“Everything we do is about improving the lives of children in hospital and disabled children in residential care,” says Charlotte Wilson, the Trust’s Fundraising Manager. “We are so grateful to Help a Capital Child for its continued support and, in turn, to the staff at Deutsche Bank for their backing.”
Deutsche Bank’s Charities of the Year programme
Deutsche Bank employees have raised more than £9.7m since the Charities of the Year programme was launched in 1999.
Only charities with an annual income of less than £5m are eligible. According to Deutsche Bank’s UK Charities and Fundraising Manager, Amy Parker, this provides smaller organisations with the kind of support – not just financial backing but also expert advice – that makes a real, tangible difference.
“Our biggest single event is called One Day,” says Amy. “We ask all our employees to donate a day’s salary via payroll giving, which is then matched by the bank. This year the initiative raised more than £600,000.”
“ Seeing the Giggle Doctors brighten up a child’s life during a distressing ordeal was amazing.”
Colin Bones, Emerging Market Derivatives Trading, Deutsche Bank
Winter 2012 — Informed | 23
Images: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Andre Stafano and Theodora Children’s Trust