Cheshire Freemasons have made a significant contribution to the comfort of young patients in local hospitals, including Warrington and Halton General, by donating nearly 7,000 cuddly teddy bears over the past year.
The initiative, part of the national Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) program, aims to ease the anxiety of children in emergency departments. These soft companions provide comfort during what can be a frightening experience for young patients.
Michael Ross, the senior Freemason overseeing TLC in Cheshire, emphasized the bears' impact: "The children love them, and they help massively in building rapport with those who are afraid of the situation."
In the last 12 months, Cheshire Freemasons have raised an impressive £28,645.31 through various events, enabling the purchase of 6,768 teddy bears for distribution across local hospitals.
The TLC program, launched in 2001, is a nationwide effort by Freemasons across England and Wales. To date, it has provided over 3.5 million teddy bears to hospitals. Children are allowed to keep the bears, offering a lasting source of comfort beyond their hospital stay.
Funded entirely by donations from Freemasons, their families, and supporters, the TLC program relies heavily on volunteer efforts. Freemasons dedicate hundreds of hours annually to manage the scheme, deliver bears, raise funds, and increase awareness through events and talks.
This initiative exemplifies the Freemasons' commitment to community service, bringing smiles to children's faces during challenging times in hospitals across Cheshire and beyond.
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