Bolton Freemasons were delighted to be able to donate a new supply of teddies to Bolton Hospice. The Teddies for Loving Care initiative provides unique cuddly bears to Accident & Emergency departments and hospices for medical staff to give at their discretion to young children. The bears are used to calm children down, reward them for being brave or to demonstrate procedures. Often the bears distract children so nurses and doctors can get their jobs done quickly and efficiently. The TLC teddy has become an invaluable tool for medical professionals and a real comfort for children. TLC is locally managed by Freemasons who also volunteer their time to run the scheme. Since its inception in 2001, over 3 million teddies have been distributed throughout England and Wales.
Michael Greenhalgh, Bolton Masons Charity Steward said, “The Teddies for Loving Care is one of my favourite masonic initiatives. Being able to provide a little something that gives some comfort to children, going through such a hard time, is very rewarding. These were initially just for accident and emergency departments, but we are humbled to be able to partner with Bolton Hospice and help families going through such difficult situations.”

Mary Stubbs, a Creative Therapist at Bolton Hospice said, “I’m so grateful to the Masons for these wonderful bears.  This is the second time they have made such a generous donation to us and it’s been truly magical to have been able to hand these teddies out when needed and they have been much needed!  Covid has meant that we haven’t had the numbers of children visiting the way we are used to here at the hospice and it’s been marvellous to be able to hand out these teddies for our patients to be able to send home with little messages for the children they have not been able to see.  There are times when patients don’t feel up to seeing young children but they want the children to know they are still thought about and cared for and patients often want to be able to show their love by sending comforting gifts. It has meant so much to the patients and to see the looks of joy on their faces as we have produced these bears has been such a pleasing part of my job.”

For more information on the Teddies for Loving Care appeal – Teddies for Loving Care – Delivering teddy bears to hospitals for children in distress

The photograph shows, from left to right, Debbie Brooks (ward clerk), Vincent Dover, Michael Greenhalgh, Leigh Vallance (CEO).