Dapper Dick clowns around on telly

LONDONDERRY'S Richard McClelland starred in the BBC series "The Clown Doctors" over the last two weeks but in a guise perhaps unfamiliar to many of his friends and family.

Appearing as his alter ego Richard attracted 72,000 viewers and achieved a 17 per cent share of the total television viewing audience on Monday, June 12.

Trained at the University of Ulster and Minkey Hill Theatre he recently joined the Clown Doctors as the sartorially suave Dr Dapper.

Dr Dapper is a dedicated follower of fashion, although he may have taken a wrong turn or three somewhere along the road. His pass-times include golf, cycling and playing the French horn, but why he insists on doing them all at the same time is anybody's guess.

Working with a troupe of ten skilled and specially trained performers which visits hospitals - including Altnagelvin - Dr Dapper spreads merriment and laughter, and helps children in acute hospitals and other facilities cope with the often difficult experience of lengthy medical treatment.

Richard has worked as a Carnival Arts Facilitator on the North West Carnival Initiative and has taught art-craft workshops to a wide range of participants.

He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of In Your Space, a company that presents performances and undertakes workshops for the public, community and private sectors.

As a freelance circus skills facilitator, he has worked with the Verbal Arts Centre's "Spark" programme, the YMCA, Waterside Theatre and with various cross border organisations such as Inch Island Community Organisation. He has also worked with the Children's Commission and the local traveller's community.

The public is being encouraged to log on to www.niclowndoctors.com to find out about the work of the Clown Doctors and also to donate. The funds raised will result in more visits, helping to improve the lives of children and young people across Northern Ireland.

By logging on to www.niclowndoctors.com the public can learn more about their work and also contribute to increasing the number of children whose lives are touched.

Members of the public can also send funds by post, payable to "Arts Care", posting them to the NI Clown Doctors, Arts Care, BSO Building, 2 Franklin Street Belfast BT2 8DQ.

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