A Saffron Walden woman has received a trophy for the work she does and its positive impact in the community through making children laugh.

Annie Aris of The Laughter Specialists won The National Lottery's Local Health Award at The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards in London.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Annie Aris from the Laughter Specialists with her National Lottery’s Local Health Hero awardAnnie Aris from the Laughter Specialists with her National Lottery’s Local Health Hero award (Image: Supplied by Annie Aris)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Annie Aris with Karen Shears with their Who Cares Wins awardAnnie Aris with Karen Shears with their Who Cares Wins award (Image: Supplied by Annie Aris)

The award was presented by Kadeena Cox, a Paralympic medal winner who has been competing in Celebrity MasterChef.

The audience also saw a short film about The Laughter Specialists and the work they do.

The ceremony, hosted by Davina McCall, was broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday (September 19). It can be watched again on catch up services.

Stars including David Beckham, Gary Lineker and Rod Stewart had time to chat at the event.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Annie Aris with David Beckham at The Sun Who Cares Wins awardsAnnie Aris with David Beckham at The Sun Who Cares Wins awards (Image: Supplied by Annie Aris)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Annie Aris from The Laughter Specialists with Gary LinekerAnnie Aris from The Laughter Specialists with Gary Lineker (Image: Supplied by Annie Aris)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Rod Stewart and Ulrika Jonsson with Annie Aris from The Laughter Specialists at the The Sun Who Cares Wins awardsRod Stewart and Ulrika Jonsson with Annie Aris from The Laughter Specialists at the The Sun Who Cares Wins awards (Image: Supplied by Annie Aris)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Annie, Karen and Nigel Railton, Camelot CEOAnnie, Karen and Nigel Railton, Camelot CEO (Image: Supplied by Annie Aris)

The Laughter Specialists is a charity that supports vulnerable children and their families by raising a smile through laughter and fun in schools, hospices and hospitals - such as Broomfield and Addenbrooke's.

During the pandemic, they have been working via Zoom and outdoors to continue to reach clients, to make them laugh and allow them to make progress in other areas of their lives.

Annie said of winning: "I'm so chuffed, I really am!"

She said that more than ever, it was important that children with additional needs or medical needs got the chance to laugh.

"Getting them to laugh is giving them the best medicine, confidence to take their medicine, to walk, to talk or whatever else, it's using the platform of laughter, we have opened up massive doors for children with disabilities and sick kids and from the mental health side of it and wellbeing, it's proven that it's really working."

Annie has recently been talking to GPs and doctors on Zoom about how to use laughter to communicate with patients.


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