Queen of laughs who put smiles on the faces of kids with disabilities during Covid wins gong

EVEN as a child Annie Aris knew she could make people laugh.

Annie learned how fulfilling it was to make people laugh through humor and performances as a child.

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Today, Annie is as passionate about communicating through laughter as ever.

Annie combined years of social work and performing arts to create The Laughter Specialists. This was funded by the National Lottery.

The dedicated charity supports children across southeast England by providing laughter therapy in hospitals, schools, hospices as well as one to one sessions in families’ homes.

Annie believes that bringing laughter to children living with disabilities or in treatment can brighten their day and help their families.

She says: “Once people have had a session with us, the difference and the impact lasts a lot longer than that session.

“To see a child who’s poorly in hospital is tough on the children, most importantly, but it’s also tough on the families and the people around them.

“So one of the things is to cheer them up and give them a day that’s worth living for.”

Annie’s incredible skills for spontaneous humour were honed during her 16 years as a clown doctor in Great Ormond Street.

As the hospital’s first female clown doctor, she brought joy to children as they braved treatment.

Annie discovered that laughter can make children feel safe and she adapted her shows to fit the needs of each child, depending on their age, illness and other factors.

Annie founded The Laughter Specialists in 2007 to share her knowledge with the East Anglian schools, hospices, and hospitals.

The mother-of-two now brings the same dedication to her work at The Laughter Specialists.

Annie, 50, says: “The entertainment is endless, it’s very spontaneous.

“You can’t always plan when you go to someone’s house or a classroom, what they’re feeling or what’s happened just before you’ve arrived.

“You can’t always guarantee you’re going to be able to do a certain trick, so you really have to play with it.

“You start very gently, very slowly, make sure the children are enjoying what you’re doing and then you build from it and that’s when you get the magic of the Laughter Specialists.”

For mum Carly Hughes, Annie’s work with her son Bobby, has helped the family through a difficult time.

Bobby was struck by a learner driver five years ago while playing outside his home.

Bobby suffered severe brain injuries after the accident. He needed three rounds to be neurosurgeons.

Annie visited Bobby several times over the past five years to cheer him up, both during his stay in hospital for four months and his subsequent recovery at home.

‘ANNIE GOES THE EXTRA MILE’

Carly, 40, from Thaxted, says: “Annie was there right from the beginning when Bobby wasn’t talking or able to walk.

“Annie’s visits have been such a great part of Bobby’s therapy. She’s got such a good, kind heart.

“Especially after a brain injury, the care can be very fatiguing.

“It’s very hard, so to bring a bit of laughter to it is fantastic.

“Without laughter, you’ve got nothing, have you?

“Annie has seen Bobby with all the odds against him and now he’s doing so well, they’ve been there with him on that journey.

“She always goes that extra mile.”

Annie and her team have helped to grow The Laughter Specialists. This charity has been able reach more children in dire need.

HEALTH HERO

During lockdown, Annie performed for children through windows and in gardens outside family homes to continue brightening up their days.

Saffron Walden’s and Harlow’s new projects will offer a weekly club where children can come together to share laughter therapy.

Annie is also helping GPs to share laughter with children in their final year.

Annie has been named The National Lottery’s Local Health Hero for her dedication and unwavering support of her community.

Annie, from Saffron Walden, says: “This is a team award for The Laughter Specialists.

“Winning this award for the charity means that we’re out there, people know about us.

“All the team we work with behind the scenes, the volunteers, the fundraisers, they’re all going to be recognised for what they do.”

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