Eighteen beds have been installed in the paediatric wards of Mater Dei Hospital for use by parents who need to stay with their children overnight and who, to date, were only been able to catch some sleep on chairs.

The beds were provided thanks to the efforts of the NGO Dr Klown and its Project 20-20-20.

Project 20-20-20 was so named because if consisted of 20 sports marathons in 20 days for 20 beds.  

The project was a collaboration with Chris Mamo, a Maltese/English personal trainer who served 12 years in the British army. Dr Klown provides hospitalised children distraction and stress relief through fun and laughter.

Mr Mamo ran 20 consecutive marathons of over 42km from March 19, with the support of Dr Klown and a group of volunteers.

Dr Klown president Maurice Sleypen said: “We went to see the beds installed in the rooms and found most of them in use already. Not just during the night, because most parents sleep according to the rhythm of their child. The many mothers we spoke to were very happy with the comfort of the beds as opposed to the chairs which caused neck pain and backaches."

Mr Mamo said it was gratifying to hear how very welcome those beds were with the parents who have to stay long nights in their child's room.

"It has definitely been worth all the sacrifices and pain. I would do it all over again." 

18 beds were installed at Mater Dei Hospital, while another two have been installed at Gozo General Hospital. Dr Klown will be extending its services to Gozo as from next month.

A call for new clown doctors resident in Gozo has been made, and anyone interested in joining Dr Klown should express their interest by applying at www.drklown.org/contact/.