Jerry’s House, the global initiative that carries out activities to teach sick children the connection between laughter and healing, was introduced by 13-year-old Australian boy Lochie Graham at Melbourne International Film Festival this past Saturday.
Lochie spoke in honour of Jerry Lewis' 90th birthday year at MIFF’s comprehensive retrospective program. A video message from Jerry Lewis was introduced by Lochie about Jerry’s passion for raising money to find ways to help sick children: Donate Here.
After walking the MIFF2016 red carpet gala opening, Lochie introduced the featured Jerry Lewis film classic The Nutty Professor.
A 7-Year-old Boy Inspires a Vision of Hope & Healing
Lochie inspired the Jerry’s House charity when he first met Jerry Lewis at the final Muscular Dystrophy American Telethon. Jerry held a picture of them as he spoke to the American public about how Lochie Graham understood his legacy – carrying it into the future with Lochie’s vision for a house where children who live with chronic illness find joy and learn to heal using humour.
Speaking to a full house at MIFF2016 Lochie explained his philanthropic involvement. At 13 Lochie has been a foster brother, worked overseas in children’s charities, is a young ambassador to The Foundation for Young Australians and is often seen helping Sam Lipski at The Pratt Foundation.
“As a foster brother, it seems to me that every child’s world is better when they can laugh–despite the terrible things in their lives. It’s my hope that one day children around the world will have a place where they can learn to heal through laughter,” says Lochie Graham.
Jerry has inspired Lochie’s show-business acting career too, garnering many comedic accolades for various roles in commercials (AFL) and recently in a leading role for a children’s TV comedy show.
