Diagnosis laughter... NI Clowndoctors get lottery boost

Clowndoctors entertain five-year-old Ethan Martin in the Ulster Hospital

A drive to recruit more clowns to entertain sick children in hospitals and hospices across Northern Ireland has received a lottery funding boost.

Charity Arts Care NI has been awarded a Big Lottery Fund grant of £9,380 to recruit and train more Clowndoctors.

They are not trained doctors, but instead work on the principle that laughter is the best medicine.

Founder Jan Branch said they wanted to foster "fun, laughter, play, chat and creativity" in a stressful environment.

"Hospitals are challenging places for anyone, especially children who find themselves in a different, confusing and sometimes alien place," she said.

"Every child has the right to play and to enjoy themselves and that's why we're here."

Clowndoctor Elaine Duncan, aka Dr Twinkle, said she loved to see the smiles on children's faces.

"The children have the choice whether they want to chat or play with us as we want to make sure they feel as comfortable as possible," she said.

"It's great when you do something that makes them giggle and you know they are having fun."

The Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All small grants programme is awarding a total of £545,243 to 70 projects across Northern Ireland.