CJ celebrates his one year anniversary as Taranaki Base Hospital’s regular ‘care clown’

3 September 2012

CJ the Clown, aka Wayne Annand, first started clowning around at Base Hospital in August 2011 and is dedicated to the hospital voluntarily.

The volunteer ‘care clown’ is always in Ward 2 Taranaki Base Hospital Children’s Ward once a week on a Tuesday morning.

Taranaki DHB play therapist Sharon Luque is thankful for all the smiles CJ brings to the ward.

“The kids love it, it distracts them and they look forward to him coming each week,” said Sharon. “He works really well with our parents too as they are here all day and sometimes need a good laugh and CJ does just that”.

“The whole atmosphere changes when he is here, it’s great”.

Ward 2 isn’t the only place that benefits from CJ’s happy face. He also attends other wards on request including Ward 1 the Older People’s Health and Rehabilitation service and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“Wherever we need a smile on someone’s face he is happy to go,” said Sharon. “He brightens up the staff as well, we love having him here”.

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Sue Carrington
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Ph 021 367 789

Last updated: Wednesday, September 5, 2012