Paris Saint-Germain’s foundation supports the Éclats de l’Ile charity

The Parisian club has donated 10,000 euros to a programme run by the Éclats de l’île charity on Reunion Island, whose aim is to encourage sick children to play and laugh in order to help them cope better with their illness.

Professional comedians, circus artists, actors and musicians are selected and specially trained by Rire Médecin (a charity that sends clowns into hospitals in mainland France). They all undergo several weeks of training, both in their chosen art and with regard to the hospital environment: how it works, the hygiene regulations and, above all, the patients’ specific treatments.

Once a week, clowns from Éclats de l’île perform a personalised show for every child being treated in Félix Guyon University Hospital in Saint-Denis and in Saint-Pierre University Hospital, according to their state of heath, their mood and their wishes at that particular time.

Yves Reguerre, chairman of the Éclats de l’île charity, said: “Nowadays, hospital clowns are seen as members of the healthcare staff for paediatric oncology on Reunion Island. Much more than a simple distraction, I believe they are a real tonic for these patients, because treating someone does not only involve making a diagnosis and administering medicines, but rather taking care of the sick person in all ways possible. Because we are dealing with sick children, the playfulness and laughter provided by these clowns make the child feel carefree again, which is vital to their development and wellbeing. This makes their treatment more straightforward and easier to face. The children and their families, as well as the medical staff, witness this every day.”

Sabrina Delannoy, Deputy Director of the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, added: “At the instigation of our President, Nasser Al Khelaifi, since last year the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation has carried out charity actions all over the world. To follow on from our two programmes in the Central African Republic and Madagascar with Action Contre la Faim, we have now decided to join forces with the Éclats de l’île charity on Reunion Island, whose project won us over because it provides young patients with priceless moments of fun and joy. These happiness professionals bring a breath of fresh air into these children’s lives through games, music and imagination.”

Dr Mathilde Jehanne, from the haematology/oncology department at Félix Guyon University Hospital in Saint Denis, added: “Éclats de l'île’s visits to our department give children a break from their treatment, a moment of pure joy that is vital to their wellbeing and, therefore, decisive in their fight against illness. Just like the chemotherapy that we administer every day, laughter is an undeniable therapy that the Éclats de l'île charity gives us every week.”