A POLICE officer lived out his dreams when he joined the clowns of Zippos Circus to raise money for children with cancer.

Rod Chapman, from the Metropoliton Police, who lives in Dartford, raised £300 for the Acorn Children's Cancer Appeal, at Queen Mary's Hospital, Chislehurst Road, Sidcup.

After a surprise performance in front of his two children, Hannah, 7, and Megan, 4, alongside Russian acrobats, jugglers, African gymnasts, horses and dancers on the opening night, he said: "I've always wanted to be a clown, it's something I've dreamed about all my life. I had no idea what it would be like to be in the big top, lights blazing down. I just went out blind.

"They put me on as a policeman sorting out a scrap between the clowns who had fallen out while decorating a room. Every time I stepped between them to stop a fight I got hit by a bucket of soapy water.

"If I had another life I would definitely be a clown because you make people laugh.

His wife Katherine said: "The children didn't know Rod was going to be on until the ring master announced his name. Then their eyes lit up. My elder daughter clasped her hands over her eyes and said 'Daddy's going to be a clown'. He's always been a clown in life. He loves to make people laugh."

July 6, 2001 15:29