On 25th October, the Paediatric Accident and Emergency department of Milton Keynes Hospital received its regular consignment of 144 Teddy Bears.
These bears are part of Bucks Freemasons Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) initiative.
Started in 2001, this admirable Masonic charity is now in its 15th year. Teddies for Loving Care has distributed over 1 million teddy bears to children's A&E departments across the UK. Not only do the teddy bears comfort and calm the children, they really do make the nursing staff's job somewhat easier in appraising and befriending the often distraught kiddies. Not every child receives a teddy, but those that do, get to keep it and take it home.
Lou Amey a member of Fenny Stratford Lodge of Freemasons, which meets in Bletchley, has been involved with the delivery of the teddies to MK Hospital for several years. On this latest delivery he was accompanied by the Assistant Head of Freemasonry in Buckinghamshire, John Clark, John's wife Sarah and TLC co-ordinator Mel Shah.
Mel Shah, who organises the distribution of the teddies throughout all of the children's departments in Buckinghamshire hospitals, said: "This delivery of teddies represents just one month's supply and brings the number of bears delivered to Milton Keynes to 650 this year alone. They have made such a difference to the sick children, comforting them during their recovery. All of the teddies are purchased by funds raised and donated by local Freemasons."
Picture shows from left to right: John Clark, Lou Amey, Claire Norton, (nursery nurse), Sarah Clark, Megan Lovell (staff nurse), and Sick patient Mel Shah.