It was a very proud moment for Suffolk Freemasons as Dave Wilson, our Teddies for Loving Care coordinator, accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master Ralph Robertson, delivered the 25,000th TLC Teddy Bear to Ipswich Hospital Children's A+E Department.
The Teddies for Loving Care initiative offers special cuddly bears to Accident & Emergency departments and these bears are given by medical staff to young children as needed. They are used to calm children, reward their bravery, or demonstrate medical procedures. The bears often help distract children, allowing nurses and doctors to work efficiently. The TLC Teddy has proven to be a valuable asset for healthcare providers and a source of comfort for children, and every child who receives a teddy gets to take it home.
Sandra Gosney, Community Fundraising Manager, commented,
"The support Dave and Suffolk Freemasons have given us over the last 21 years has been incredible, knowing that 25,000 children have received one of these teddies during their stay. We can't thank them enough for their continued support and look forward to the next huge milestone they reach."
Suffolk Freemasons started delivering TLC Bears in 2003 and are currently delivering approximately 400 bears a month throughout Suffolk to hospitals, ambulance stations, women's refuge centres, and the Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral Workshop for anxious children.
Dave Wilson commented,
"I thoroughly enjoy this part of my Masonic career, the joy the children get from receiving a bear and working with the nursing staff who all agree that the bears are one of the best medicines they have".
The TLC program in Suffolk is supported by the kind contributions of our Lodges, individual Freemasons, their families and supporters. Additionally, our members dedicate countless hours to oversee the initiative, distributing bears to hospitals, fundraising, and increasing awareness through various events and presentations.
There are 47 regional TLC programmes across England and Wales that provide teddies for their local A&E departments. Once a hospital joins the scheme, it can replenish teddies on request through its local TLC representative.
