Shropshire Star

Dozens of teddies already donated for Midlands charity appeal

If you go down to the woods today, you might see dozens of teddy bears off to help a good cause.

Published
Sylvia Keris and the teddies

Eccleshall Rotarian Sylvia Keris, with the help of other Rotary Clubs all over the country, and individual knitters, gathered together a huge batch of donated teddies for a teddy bear tea party in the garden – prior to delivering them to the next Buddy Bag Foundation's packing session.

Sylvia, an ambassador for the charity, acts as a collector for knitted teddies, which are comfort toys added to children's 'Buddy Backpacks', along with essential clothing and toiletries. Hundreds of Buddy Bags are packed at the regular weekly packing sessions, and then sent to refuges throughout the UK, where children are taken to safety away from domestic violence.

Sylvia is also seeking people to kindly sew fabric drawstring toiletry bags and make zipped pencil cases, to hold items within the backpacks. Lego pieces are also very much sought after, as therapists in refuges have found creative play with Lego can help traumatised children.

Help

Donations of knitting wool are also welcome, to help supply knitters who require this to make more teddies.

Knitters can use their own teddy patterns, or some can be found on the charity's website at buddybagfoundation.co.uk. Teddies can be in any colour wool, or combination of colours.

To learn more about what can help or to arrange delivery, contact Sylvia on 01785 851005.

Sylvia was joined at the teddy tea party by a duck from Eccleshall Rotary Club's Hook-a-Duck stall.

And the duck may make a return appearance at the Eccleshall Show, if rules allow it to go ahead later in the year.