Commonwealth Bank will today launch a month of fundraising to support the Clown Doctors - a national program which provides highly trained, professional "medical clowns" to help uplift sick kids by delivering doses of laughter and joy throughout hospitals.
For over 20 years, the Commonwealth Bank has supported the Clown Doctors program, which makes more than 230,000 visits each year to children in 22 hospitals across Australia.
To celebrate the start of "Smile Month", CommBank branches across the country will rally together to raise much needed funds via a variety of fundraising events. CommBank will also accept donations in-branch until Friday 28 April. All fundraising efforts up to the value of $100,000 will be matched by the CommBank Staff Foundation, meaning the impact of the community's generosity will be doubled.
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at CommBank, said the Clown Doctors is a cause that our staff are very passionate about.
"We're thrilled to be gifting smiles of all shapes and sizes again in 2023 as we continue our 20-plus-year history of supporting the Clown Doctors and the work they do to help sick kids. Our fundraising for The Humour Foundation is something we love doing as a team and we encourage our communities to get behind the incredible work the Clown Doctors do for kids in need," Mr Barker said.
Smile Month is the national fundraiser of the Clown Doctors initiative. The fundraising campaign will be held throughout April and will begin with a national fundraising day, Smile Day, on Friday 31 March. Over-the-counter donations in branches will also be accepted during this time.
Tony Warner, CEO of The Humour Foundation, commended CBA's ongoing commitment to helping the Clown Doctors.
"No child or family wants to spend time in hospital away from home, despite receiving brilliant care from medical professionals. Thankfully, the Clown Doctors provide distraction, magical play and humour to families when they need it most - spreading laughter and joy at a difficult time," he said.
"Over the past 20 years CommBank Staff Foundation has helped provide funds and build awareness of the wonderful work the Clown Doctors do. We'd like to express our sincere gratitude for all the fundraising efforts in CBA branches and its customers for their ongoing contributions - all funds raised allow us to continue to bring the magic of Clown Doctors to sick kids in hospitals across the country."
In 2022, 67 Clown Doctors across Australia delivered doses of fun and laughter to over 230,000 kids, families and hospital staff.
Donations to the Clown Doctors can be made at any Commonwealth Bank branch throughout April or online, at: commbank.com.au/clowndoctors
Go to CBA Newsroom for the latest news and announcements from Commonwealth Bank.
