30,000 TLC teddy given out somewhere in Shropshire

With TLC teddies distributed in Shropshire in all Accident and Emergency centres, Minor Injuries Units and several other outlets, the colourful bears have become a familiar sight in the Province’s treatment centres. One little chap (with a weary looking Mum) even told me that he had collected all the different colours!

Teddies for Loving Care is a Masonic charity, started in Essex in 2000, which has spread around the country and beyond and seen well over 1m bears given out - mostly but not exclusively to children. Shropshire joined the party in 2010 (following our successful 2018 Festival), and now distributes teddies via the nursing staff in all of our A&E and Minor Injuries Units.

It is of course impossible to be certain where and exactly when, but at some time recently, the 30,000th teddy to be given out in Shropshire has gone to a patient in need of comfort and reassurance. To mark this milestone, TLC’s Provincial Grand Teddy chose NHS Day July 5th for the celebration. Deputy Teddy met Deputy PGM Jeremy Lund at Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, which unsurprisingly has given away more TLC bears than any other centre in the Province.

I promise you that behind the masks it was all smiles - as we marked this special moment!