Tropical Lagoon, our children’s ward at Queen’s Hospital, had a special visit from Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) who donated dozens of bears for children who are staying in our hospitals.

TLC have provided teddies to our Children’s A&E for many years and this is the first time receiving them for our children’s inpatient ward.

The bears provide comfort to children who haven’t brought their own ones in and can be used by our staff to demonstrate the treatment they’ll receive.

Hannah Fridd, a Children’s Site Practitioner on Tropical Lagoon, said:

I’ve seen the benefits the teddies have on children who presented at our children’s A&E and it makes a huge difference for them. They feel comforted and it helps make a negative experience more positive for them.

“It’ll be lovely for the children on Tropical Lagoon to have a teddy as sometimes they have forgot theirs at home and this can help comfort them in an unknown environment.

The teddies were presented to us by the Chairman for TLC Essex, Paul Reeves, and trustee Neil Beverley.

Paul said:

The charity started 24 years ago after one of our member’s wives went into hospital and received great care from the staff. We wanted to give something back to the hospital and that’s where the idea for donating teddies to children’s A&E started.

“Since then, we’ve donated to hospitals across different parts of the world including all of England and Wales.

“We’re proud to be able to support and help so many children and their families during difficult times at hospital .

Neil added:

By showing the child what treatment, they’ll receive on the teddy first, it makes the child feel more relaxed and comfortable.