The Clown Doctors are specially trained performers who visit the Children’s Heart Unit to bring play, laughter and calm at a time that can feel very scary. Through music, storytelling and silliness, they help children and young people feel more in control, less worried and more like themselves, whether they’re in hospital or joining online from home
Since 2006, Chuf has worked in partnership with TIN Arts to bring the Clown Doctors to the Children’s Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital. Over the years, thousands of Heart Heroes have benefitted from the magic they bring to the ward.
Every year, Chuf funds the Clown Doctor programme at a cost of £35,000, making it one of the most important services we provide. The Clown Doctors truly embody our belief that there is a place for everyone, and their ability to connect with children of all ages is second to none.
Find out more about the Clown Doctors and see them in action- CHUF: Children’s Heart Unit Fund
The Clown Doctors visit the Children’s Heart Unit regularly, working closely with play specialists and medical teams to support children in hospital. They pop into bays and side rooms, wander the corridors, join clinics, and follow children’s cues to make sure every interaction is gentle, empowering and fun.
How it works:
The play specialists refers a child for a Clown Doctor visit. They share what the child enjoys, what helps them feel safe, and any worries they may have. The Clown Doctors then create a personalised visit, this might be a silly song, quiet storytelling, imagination games, circus tricks or simply a friendly chat.
Their visits help:
Reduce anxiety before procedures
Offer distraction during treatment
Build confidence
Create moments of joy in long hospital stays
Support siblings and families, too
Their impact on emotional wellbeing and the recovery journey, is invaluable.
Sometimes children and young people can’t see the Clown Doctors at the Freeman Hospital, but would still love a bit of silliness, support, or a friendly face, especially if things feel a little worrying or unfamiliar. That’s where Very Special Meetings come in.
A Very Special Meeting is a relaxed, online video call (about 30 minutes) with two Clown Doctors, just for you. They might tell stories, play games, make you laugh, or simply spend time chatting, whatever helps you feel more confident and comfortable.
These meetings first began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Clown Doctors couldn’t visit the hospital in person. Families found them so helpful and joy-filled that we decided to keep them going. Now, they’re a lovely way to stay connected, whether you’re at home, recovering, or just needing a little extra support.
Sometimes your nurses might chat to your parent, carer, or another grown-up about arranging a Very Special Meeting. And sometimes children and young people ask for one themselves, both are absolutely fine.
Would you like your own Very Special Meeting with the Clown Doctors?
Just ask your grown-up to fill in the form to let us know you’re interested. We’d love to see you soon!
Click on a Clown Doctor below to learn more about them!
Doctor Melanie Mughugger was born in a shoe. After swallowing many flies like her dear old mother, and realising that eating spiders, cats and dogs to help catch the flies was not a good idea, she went out into the big wild world in search of more delicious snacks. Her favourite hobbies include snail-racing, sprout-throwing and jelly-wibbling. She can often be found hanging out of the top of bus windows, yodelling at the top of her voice!
Doctor Johan Cherrywolf, or Jonah to his mother, comes from a family of wrestlers called the Von Wolfe’s. He was set to follow in his family’s footsteps, but Johan was walking one day, lost his footing and stumbled. He found himself hanging onto the edge of a cliff. Just as his grip started to loosen, and the end seemed inevitable, a small hairy leg and hoof lifted him to safety. Standing nearby was a deer. One crystal tear fell from its eye, and it then vanished. That moment will stay with Johan forever, and he decided then to help in life in whatever way he could.
Dr Poppy Sneezitoff was not given her name at birth. She earned it by working hard as a taxi driver on Spaghetti Junction until the age of twelve. One day a penguin was sitting in the back of her taxi when they took a detour and found themselves deep in a rain forest. The penguin got a bit hot and bothered so Poppy performed a miracle operation and never looked back. Which did cause her to crash into a tree. She now travels fast and low, taking her medical case with her everywhere in case someone ever shouts, “is there a doctor on board?”. Poppy loves a good dance, likes shouting “is there anybody out there?” at the sky, and has a big collection of muscles.
Dr Jamima Jamjuggle used to be in a circus act called “The Jammy Dodgers” who swung from chandeliers whilst juggling flaming pots of jam. Having been pursued by angry, jam soaked, audiences a few too many times, the troupe disbanded and she became the good doctor that you see today. Modelling herself on Dr Doolittle, she likes to talk to animals (who run for the hills) and commune with cuddly toys (who are similarly unimpressed). Dr J.J. to her friends, she wears her visor low to avoid speed cameras and is an honorary toothbrush twirling tutor at The Worthy Institute of Twirling Sciences (TWITS).
Doctor Finlay Fundango hatched from a multicoloured egg many years ago. The egg was found in the Marmite mines under a toast soldier and was thought to be a bowling ball until the good doctor fell out. From an early age he liked mending spaceships and racing snails and so it was natural for him to jump over lazy dogs when he grew up.
Doctor Satsuma B Sprocket was grown from a pip found in an old Christmas stocking satsuma found in a Cumbrian cupboard in the year 19 hundred and something. The “B” stands for Bloomers, but because she doesn’t like to show her knickers in public, she keeps that name secret! She was reared on a diet of biscuits, fables and Kendal Mintcake until she reached the giddy height of a giraffe’s ankle. Feeling as tall as the hills, Dr Satsuma, as she is known to her friends, enjoys keeping her clown-doctoring skills up to date with extensive training in speed-knitting, cartoon- watching, hair-crimping and tiddlywink-twanging, whilst touching her toes at the same time.
Doctor Tammy Teacosy is always brewing silly ideas and keeps them warm under her hat. It’s always tea-time with Tammy who will do just about anything for a custard cream. Tammy studied the ancient and little-known Japanese martial art of Knit-Fu and is author of several esteemed books on the subject including “Ninja Knits”, “Combat Crochet” and “Gosh is it Tea Time already I seem to be in a bit of a Tangle”. She is a qualified biscuit-sitter and once won a prize for her athletic fig rolls.
Having sprung fully-grown from her father’s sporran Doctor Lulu McDoo was passed through the family like chicken pox until she was finally settled with a maiden aunt who gave her the freedom of the porridge drawer. Strangely Doctor McDoo, absorbed by one of her aunt’s haggis impersonations, stepped backwards, falling off Scotland into England where she now walks the corridors, bringing wafts of porridge and haggis to those who need it most.
Children's Heart Unit Fund - Chuf
Designworks Business Centre
William Street
Gateshead
NE10 0JP
Tel: 0191 281 3166
Email: info@chuf.org.uk
Chuf is a registered charity in England and Wales No 1160831 © 2026.
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