Bilderlings launches a project to support Healthcare Clowning

The Warm June project aims to help children in hospitals and to create a caring community among financial services users.

For each customer who signs up for a Bilderlings account from June 1 to 30, the company will donate €5 to the award-winning Hearts & Minds (UK) and Dr. Klauns (Latvia) charities.

Both organizations work with Healthcare Clowning which is a special kind of emotional support for children in hospitals. Through play, humour, and improvisation, the Clowndoctors help young patients to cope with stress and get better faster.

As a financial institution, we know the value of making the right investments. We want to remind people that emotional health, the smiles of our children, and a humane environment are investments too, no less valuable than financial ones. That is why we encourage people to join our campaign to support Healthcare Clowning,” Bilderlings Executive Director Dmitry Kuvshinov says.

To make signing up easier and more enjoyable, account opening and maintenance will be completely free throughout June 2023 for certain rates.

According to Bilderlings, one of the main campaign goals is not only to support Healthcare Clowning directly but also to foster a community of people with big hearts.

Sean Donnelly, Hearts & Minds Chief Executive said: “We believe that meaningful human connection is vital for health and wellbeing, and so our Clowndoctors connect with those with challenging health conditions or additional support needs to bring colour, light and laughter creating moments of pure joy. 

“We are very grateful for the support offered by Bilderlings and we hope that those signing up for this wonderful campaign will know that their contributions will spread even more joy and laughter to those who really need it most”.

Marianna Milovska, Dr.Klauns Chief Executive, said: “When Clowndoctors are coming to the hospitals, they bring joy to children, they help to relieve stress in parents, and support medical staff during procedures — and thus making hospital atmosphere warmer and more humane.

“But for Healthcare Clowning program to really work, visits should be regular, so children, parents, and medical staff could trust and rely on the Clowndoctors’ presence.

“As a charity we depend on private and corporate donations. Of course, we are thankful for any support given, but especially grateful we are to a more systemic and regular approach, which helps us to build long-term plans.

“This is why we highly appreciate this Bilderlings initiative to build one more caring and helping community with their clients”,

Downton Abbey stars give support to Hearts & Minds Christmas appeal

A galaxy of stars from the much-loved TV series & movie Downton Abbey are giving support to the new Christmas Appeal launched by Edinburgh charity, Hearts & Minds for their Elderflowers Programme helping people living with dementia and their carers.

The Downton stars have pledged to make a very special personalised Christmas video message for a number of lucky supporters.

Phyllis Logan, best known for her role as Downton Abbey housekeeper Mrs Hughes, is an Honorary Elderflower and huge supporter of this Scottish charity as she has had personal experience of loved ones living with dementia.

She came on board in 2016 and has been an active ambassador, so when the call came to ask for her support for the Elderflowers Christmas Appeal she went above and beyond and rallied her Downton Abbey co-stars to help support this charity that is close to her heart.

Phyllis and fellow Downton stars including Jim Carter, Imelda Staunton, Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern, Michelle Dockery, Laura Carmichael and Lesley Nicol have kindly agreed to send a selected number of personal Christmas video messages to a number of lucky people chosen at random in the Hearts & Minds Christmas Appeal for the Elderflowers.

For just £5 a lucky person could receive a special Merry Christmas video from Lord Grantham! 

The stars are waiting in the wings to wish a Merry Christmas to the lucky supporters whose names will be picked at random on 7 December. Each Downton star will be sent the name of their lucky recipient and they will make them a very special personalised Christmas video message.

COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Isolated and unable to be with loved ones, much of what gives life it’s meaning has been stripped away.

Our Elderflowers, trained in the art of therapeutic clowning, have continued to provide joy, laughter, and meaningful connections to people who need it most throughout the pandemic, and your support will help us continue to do so into the future.

To support Hearts & Minds Elderflowers Christmas Appeal people should visit the Hearts & Minds Christmas Appeal page:

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charity-web/charity/displayCharityCampaignPage.action?charityCampaignUrl=elderflowerchristmas

Closing date: 7 December at 12 noon

Terms & conditions

Minimum donation is £5. You can donate as many times as you wish. You must be over 18. Names will be chosen at random. There is no guarantee that you will receive a personalised video, but all money donated will support the Elderflower programme. By donating you are spreading joy, smiles and laughter to adults living with dementia.