SPGL Crest LogoProvincial Grand Lodge for Shropshire

Antient Order of Free and Accepted Masons of England

Teddy for Loving CareTeddies for Loving Care

"Teddies for Loving Care" is a Masonic charity already familiar to UK Masons in nearly 40 Provinces. It provides traumatised children in Accident and Emergency departments or ambulances with a colourful, cuddly teddy to take their mind off their injuries. The teddy is paid for by donations and other forms of Masonic fund-raising, and each teddy has a loop sewn into it bearing the words "Donated by Local Freemasons".


Ian Kelly with son, JamesIan Kelly (Brownlow Lodge Charity Steward) with his son James and Friend.
On the evening of Fri 23 Sep I took my 7-year old son James to Accident & Emergency at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. He had broken his nose in an accident in the school playground. He was not in that much pain, and was more afraid of what the doctors might do to him: 2 – 3 hours in A & E is a long time for a frightened child.
On admission he was given a soft TLC Teddy Bear, which cheered him up immensely, and took his mind off his troubles, especially when he learned the connection with the Masonic TLC lapel badges. He has worn one on his school blazer for the past year, having taken a fancy to mine!
After an initial examination, we went to the children’s waiting area, where all of the children were clutching TLC Bears. The staff are delighted with the effect that they have on the children. I could see that the bears were not wasted as the children holding them had severe injuries and were not letting go of their hard-working bears. Some children had been in the waiting area for a long time, and it was also a comfort to the parents that their child had something to avert boredom during the long wait. .

TLC Launch at Whitchurch HospitalFollowing the success of the launch in January 2010 of the TLC Project at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital, Telford it is now being extended to the other hospitals in Shropshire with A and E Departments. It is already up and running at Whitchurch, Bridgnorth and Ludlow, and Oswestry will shortly follow. Pictured at the recent launch at Whitchurch are: Back left to right:- W. Bro Allan Caswell (TLC Coordinator) Kay Casbolt, Tim Evanson (Worshipful Master of St Alkmond Lodge), Front Sister Alison Smelling, Teddy, Sister Wendy Davies.

Listen to Jeremy Lund being interviewed on Radio Shropshire in January 2010 by clicking the play button.                                                               

Nurse with TeddiesEstablished in Essex in the year 2000, the number of teddies given out is already around the half a million mark. For an idea of the tremendous work done by the Appeal around the UK and even abroad, go to www.tlcappeal.org.

The launch of this Appeal in Shropshire follows the end of Shropshire's SMCA Festival Appeal, following which the Provincial Grand Master requested that non-Masonic projects should take a higher profile. Fund-raising is to begin from November, 2009, and the Teddies themselves are due to appear in the A&E departments of the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital from 1st January, 2010, the 125th anniversary year of the Province of Shropshire.

Shropshire Masons can find out more about the Appeal from their Charity Steward, or by contacting the TLC Shropshire committee direct. Donations payable to the SMCA should be sent to your Charity Steward, or direct to the Treasurer of the SMCA, 21 Brook Road, Abbey Foregate, SHREWSBURY SY2 6AJ. If the latter course is chosen, please ensure that your Lodge number is included on the back of the cheque.

Teddy Information      

·                 The teddies are made to exacting standards so as to qualify for use in hospitals. Once given out, they are not re-used, to avoid risk of carrying infection

·                 Each teddy costs about £1.20

·                 Lapel badges are available for a minimum donation of £2.50 – but Brethren very often give much more substantial donations than this

·                 The anticipated need for teddies in Shropshire A&E units is in excess of 5,000 per annum once the Appeal is established

·                 Please note – Shropshire funds will be going to provide for Shropshire teddies only

·                 The decision to give a teddy is in the hands of the A&E staff; they are not given except in cases of trauma and severe distress.

·                 A&E departments who have used these teddies are delighted with them!