A CHILDREN’S entertainer is raising money to fund a trip to work with a doctor whose story was brought to life on the big screen by Robin Williams.

Daniel Wood, also known as The Magic Hatter, hopes to train with Patch Adams, the star of the 1998 film of the same name by raising £2,000 to visit Morocco’s Gesundheit! Institute

Mr Wood, from Riccall, also works as Dr Teapot and visits hospitals across the region to entertain youngsters as well as hosting parties.

He hopes to raise funds to take part in the training in April, which will include working in crisis centres, hospitals, schools, orphanages and community settings between Marrakech and Casablanca.

Mr Wood said: “I will be dressed the whole time as Dr Teapot and travelling and interacting ‘in character’ throughout the journey.

“I do a lot of parties and events across York and Selby, and many local businesses have donated prizes for an online raffle I’ll be running to help raise funds.

“I’ll also be donating a family ticket to my Christmas shows in York, The Magic Hatter’s Christmas Cracker.

“I see children of all ages, newborns to 18-year-olds, using whatever is necessary to raise their moods and help them focus on something other than their illness or injury.

“This can include play, comedy, slapstick, mime, jokes, storytelling, magic, music, balloon modelling or bubbles, but is always led by the child, and what they want and need in that moment.

“As the training focuses on play and improvisation, I also believe that it will benefit my professional development as an entertainer, and as a person. “

Hunter “Patch” Adams, 72, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1971, and was recognised for using humour to help treat his patients.

His Gesundheit Institute, which was set up to “reframe and reclaim the concept of a hospital” was run as a community hospital from 1971 to 1983.

Each year, he organises volunteers from around the World to meet up in different countries and dress as clowns.

To sponsor Mr Wood go to https://www.gofundme.com/training-with-patch-adams-morocco