Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Thursday 7 November 2019

Theodora Children's Charity. Help Send A Giggle Doctor To Visit A Sick Child And Make That Child Laugh.




Théodora was a happy, funny, always optimistic
person. She exuded this positive energy
which she would give to everyone she met.
She was open to everyone
and comfortable with everyone.
And always incredibly kind-hearted.

-André Poulie.





Can you help a Child to laugh ?
The Theodora Children's Charity Web-Site is

A small donation will go a very long way to make a sick Child laugh again.

Thank You.


All Children Deserve Laughter.

Since our very first visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital back in 1994, our Giggle Doctors have given joy and laughter to thousands of children during their treatment in hospitals, hospices, and specialist care centres. Our reach has continued to grow, and now, our 25 Giggle Doctors visit over 33,000 children each year.

Theodora Children’s Charity was founded by two brothers André and Jan, in memory of their mother Théodora Poulie. While they were growing up in Switzerland, André and Jan were given the freedom to be kids—to be silly, to be adventurous, to be themselves.


Try not to laugh !!!
Giggle Doctors at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
Available on YouTube at

Following a severe accident, André spent many months of his youth inside a hospital, undergoing 14 operations over the span of 2 years. Théodora transformed his painful experience by bringing games, songs, and stories to his bedside through her daily visits. Her presence served as André’s painkiller during his stay, and her positive energy from those brief visiting hours spread and remained, affecting the other kids in the ward as well.

When the two brothers’ father became ill, Théodora helped organise home care for him. She also helped her sons cope when their father eventually passed away. And later on, when Théodora herself was diagnosed with cancer, she continued to demonstrate incredible courage and resilience through humour. After her death, André and Jan decided to start a charity in memory of their mother using some of the money that their parents left them with.


Giggle Doctors.
Available on YouTube at

Before the first visits from the Giggle Doctors, André visited the hospital where he spent most of his months back when he was a boy and spoke to the surgeon who operated on him. He easily convinced an oncologist, Dr Beck, who saw the psychological benefits of joy and laughter in children’s cancer treatment. He was even able to convince the head nurse who used to scold him and the other kids in his ward when they were caught playing with water-filled syringes. Afterwards, they recruited the first Giggle Doctors who would eventually go on to visit children in the Great Ormond Street Hospital on Théodora’s birthday in April 1994. Now, our Giggle Doctors give laughter to thousands of children across the country receiving medical treatment.

We hope you enjoy reading about our history and the significant moments that have helped shape the Theodora Children’s Charity today. Scroll down to learn more about our journey over the years.




Kerry speaks about her experience with The Giggle Doctors.
Available on YouTube at


Can you help a Child to laugh ?
The Theodora Children's Charity Web-Site is

A small donation will go a very long way to make a sick Child laugh again.

Thank You.



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