Australia's Marriott Hotels unite to Support Clown Doctors

Australia’s eight Marriott hotels have joined forces to support the children’s charity Clown Doctors, which uses comedy to help sick and injured children to cope with their time in hospital.

As part of their “Spirit to Serve” programme, the Marriott properties have supported this year’s Smile Day, the primary fundraising event for Clown Doctors, who humour children at 14 hospitals around Australia.

“Spirit to Serve is Marriott’s way of supporting worthwhile causes in the community,” said Nikki Little, Director, National Accounts, for the Marriott Group in Australia. 

“Each year, our properties in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast choose a local charity to support – but this year, as well as local activities, we are focusing our major effort on a single national beneficiary,” said Ms Little.

“Clown Doctors perform a valuable role by lifting the spirits of children in hospitals, and as we all know, laughter is often the best medicine. We are delighted to be able to support this exceptional group in the work it does to brighten the lives of children.”

The Marriott hotels supported three major Smile Day events late last week.

In Melbourne the Marriott Hotel was the venue for a 200-person “Laugh Out Loud” fundraising dinner to support Clown Doctors. The hotel also secured support from local food and beverage suppliers to assist with the menu on the night.

In Sydney, the Sydney Marriott Hotel, the Sydney Harbour Marriott, the Courtyard by Marriott North Ryde and the Courtyard by Marriott Parramatta, as well as the Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott properties in Surfers Paradise, provided accommodation and prizes to support a major Smile Day event at Luna Park.

And in Queensland, the Brisbane Marriott provided accommodation and prizes to support a charity breakfast at The Gabba.

The Clown Doctors is the core project of The Humour Foundation, a charity established in 1997 by a general practitioner, Dr Peter Spitzer, and a performer, Mr Jean-Paul Bell, to promote the health benefits of humour. 

The group provides its services free of charge to hospitals, and relies upon corporate sponsorship, community donations and fundraising events such as the annual “Laugh Out Loud” dinners.

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