Clown Doctors bring laughter to Nyngan

Dr Boogie and Dr Snooze stopped in Nyngan on June 15 to grab a snap with the Big Bogan, when they got to meet its inventor Reverend Graham McLeod.

Established in 1997, the Clown Doctor program is provided by The Humour Foundation, an Australian charity dedicated to bringing the health benefits of humour to the community.

While Clown Doctors normally help sick children in hospital and their families through scary and often tough circumstances, they recently hit to road to get an idea of what it's like to travel several hours to visit a clinic, GP or get to a hospital, a reality for many families in regional areas.

The tour kicked off in Toowomba on June 17, and has travelled to Western NSW visiting Dubbo, Cobar, Wilcannia and Broken Hill before they head to Victoria.

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Artistic Director of the Humour Foundation, David Symons said the aim of the Clown Doctors was to inject hope and happiness into the lives of sick children.

"International research shows that laughter has both physiological and psychological benefits in recovery," he said.

"It has a positive effect on the heart rate and blood pressure, helps the immune system, and reduces pain and stress. It also creates bonds between people and helps them cope with difficult situations."

Clown Doctors work in partnership with medical professionals to divert children during painful procedures, and calm and distract in emergency situations.

By parodying the hospital routine with jokes, songs, magic and play, Clown Doctors engage kids at their bedside and help them to adapt to hospital life.

'Red-nose' transplants, 'cat' scans and funny bone examinations are all part of the show.

With support from the Moose Toys Foundation, Clown Doctors has been able to get the tour on the road.

Moose Toys' Belinda Gruebner said she is "excited" to see their mutual desire to support regional Australia come to life in the form of the tour.