On 19 December it's my birthday and, since I had to miss my original December challenge - the Mud Run - owing to ill health, I thought 'what better way to make it up and celebrate at the same time than to laugh?'!

Years ago I attended a workshop by Dr Kataria, a medical doctor and the founder of Laughter Yoga, and learned all about the benefits of laughter. It's amazing how much of a boost a good laugh can give your body!

And no-one knows this better than the Clown Doctors from The Humour Foundation who visit children with serious illnesses and give them some light, comic relief. 

According to their website, Clown Doctors address the psychosocial needs of the child in hospital in a unique way. By parodying the hospital routine, the Clown Doctors help children feel less traumatised by medical procedures. Oversized medical equipment, 'red-nose' transplants, 'cat' scans, humour checks and funny bone examinations are all part of the fun. By exaggerating intimidating jargon and procedures, fear and anxiety are reduced.

How marvellous! 

I'm sure if you have ever had a seriously ill child in hospital, you'd know how much a visit by one of the Clown Doctors might have made.

Here's how you can help: donate here, or come along to my 30-minute free Laughter Yoga session in Hyde Park on Monday at 1.15pm (meeting at the Archibald Fountain - opposite St Mary's Cathedral) and make a donation there. Or donate here *and* come and laugh! OR donate here, come and laugh AND make a donation there *grin*

It'd be fantastic to get a large, raucous, giggling, guffawing crowd together!

Feel free to invite others too :)