Festive fun at Cromlix with Judy Murray and Chris Forbes in support of Hearts & Minds

How wonderful to have charity Ambassadors. We are lucky at Hearts & Minds to have three ambassadors, who use their platforms to raise the profile of our Clowndoctors and Elderflowers. One of our Ambassadors, comedian and actor, Chris Forbes is also well known as The Other Murray Brother and regularly teams up with his on-stage mum Judy Murray to raise a smile. They very kindly offered to host two Festive Afternoon Teas at Cromlix House Hotel in support of Hearts & Minds.

Joanne Brown, our Head of Development went along to join in the festive fun.

Chris Forbes and Judy Murray kindly extended an opportunity for me to talk to over 150 people that don’t know about the wonderful work our healthcare clowns do at their festive events for Hearts & Minds. While ‘fundraising’ is woven into the hearts of trustees and charity workers alike, ‘friend-raising’ is a term not many people are familiar with, but friends can make the world of difference to the people we work with.

As a friend of our website, or newsletter subscriber, you will know that our goal is to have every child in Scotland expect to see a Clowndoctor as they head to hospital. How comforting that would be to a worried child and their anxious family.

If you were expecting to see a Clowndoctor you would also know that when your loved one had regular visits from us, they would recover more quickly and be home sooner. As we have resources only to be able to work with 30% of the people referred to us, the other 60% is waiting, waiting, waiting. Better public awareness amongst people who have not yet had direct experience of the Clowndoctors is vital to reach our goal - you must know about the Clowndoctors before you get to hospital.  

So, with all that in mind off I went to Cromlix House Hotel for afternoon tea – twice. Oooft, it was blooming gorgeous. I arrived with bags of red noses and leaflets of info about the Clowndoctors and the Elderflowers, our Clowndoctors for people with dementia.  I met so many warm-hearted people who offered their skills and expertise, and who kindly donated too.

I asked one thing – please tell someone else about the Clowndoctors. A neighbour, colleague, partner, friend, and maybe they will tell one other person too. And so, it goes.  These new friends will be instrumental in giving both the remaining 60% of children and adults we don’t have resources to see, a healthcare clown visit, but also will raise expectation across Scotland that loved ones in care will get all the wonderful benefits the Clowndoctors and Elderflowers bring.   

Out of the 200 red noses I handed out only 7 were left at the end of the day so look out – there could be a red nose appearing in your life soon!

What a joy to be working with the team at Cromlix. They are so warm, and their support for children, young people and adults with dementia was clear. A huge thanks to Judy Murray and our honorary Clowndoctor and Ambassador Chris Forbes, for giving me the platform to tell a new audience about the work we do at Hearts & Minds, and the extraordinary benefits it brings.

If you would like to help us reach that extra 60%, please consider making a donation or sign up to our newsletter and receive our wonderful stories direct to your inbox.

Thank You

Joanne Brown, Head of Development.