Breaking News
Yorkshire Air Ambulance now also carries teddies !
Breaking news - see the 500,000 happy faces press release (click this text)
The Provincial Grand Master has successfully launched the TLC Scheme across the whole province is just 12 weeks!
When the Provincial Grand Master gives his ‘seal of approval’ to a worthy cause it cannot be said that he ‘lets the grass grown beneath his feet’ in this short period of time the TLC scheme is in place at the locations listed below:
The scheme was initially introduced into the Sheffield Childrens Hospital by W. Bro. Peter Taylor, who made all the original arrangements for introducing the teddies there. Thanks to his personal efforts the scheme proved to be a great success at the hospital.
intitally introduced at:
Sheffield Children's Hospital
and then rolled out to the Province as below:
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Airedale General Hospital
Halifax Royal Infirmary
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Dewsbury & District General Hospital
Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield
Pontefract General Infirmary
Rotherham General Hospital
Doncaster Royal Infirmary
Bassetlaw Hospital, Worksop
Montague Hospital Mexborough
Leeds General Infirmary
St James Hospital Leeds
Wharfedale General Hospital Otley
St George’s Centre Leeds
Harrogate District Hospital
Yorkshire Air Ambulance
See the photographs and comments below.
All of the other major Accident and Emergency units in the Province will be offered, in a structured programme, the opportunity to take part in this wonderful initiative.
Of all those treated in this A&E, 22% are under the age of 16.
Gavin Anderson, Senior Nurse, A&E, Airedale NHS Trust says:
"We are absolutely delighted that the Freemasons have chosen our hospital to receive these teddies. Often accidents and injuries with children happen unexpectedly and there is not the time to think about bringing a toy or comforter with them. These are going to be invaluable in helping our youngest patients cope when coming to an unfamiliar hospital room and to help them to cope if they need treatment"
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A very good launch with Mark Walton present. The staff thought that this was a fantastic gesture, so much so that I had one of the nursery team with me for the rest of the day and she was absolutely great and her opinion of Freemasons is ‘tops’ The A & E paediatric section of A & E is a particularly busy one and the usage of 'teddies' is likely to be the highest in the Province.
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Pinderfields Hospital – smashing introduction very friendly people and very supportive of the cause, they didn’t realise that Freemasonry extended beyond our buildings and that we were veiled in secrecy, their opinion is completely changed.
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Another great launch and the whole team in A & E expressed their heart felt thanks for this support more particularly as A & E tend to get left behind in many handouts and/or 'freebies'.
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The launch was a quieter affair than the others purely because it was exceptionally busy, but they too are extremely grateful for our help, one ward sister had never even heard of Freemasons, now she thinks we are great!!
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A very successful launch in the garden at Calderdale Royal Hospital. Halifax. Matron Julie Dean is pictured with Sister Alison Alderson with a mum and child, who would not release his teddy under any circumstances! Our thanks go to Julie for being supportive of the Appeal. Our Teddy Rep, Richard Bowling is now looking after the supplies at Halifax
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Early on 21st May we successfully launched the TLC Appeal into this hospital and the Matron, Rose Davis, was absolutely delighted and thrilled that Freemasons were going to provide the teddies. Rose was relatively unaware of the work the freemasons do and like most others assumed that ‘we look after our own’ her opinion now is somewhat changed and she is very happy on behalf of the hospital to receive the teddies and looks forward to a very long lasting relationship between the Hospital and the Freemasons of Yorkshire West Riding. Our local ‘teddy rep’ Harry Appleyard was present to hand over the teddies to the hospital and Harry will ensure that there will always be sufficient stock for many years to come.
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What a fantastic reception in Doncaster with Matron Lisa Dixon receiving the teddies on behalf of the Doncaster & Bassetlaw NHS Trust. Lisa has been particularly supportive of the initiative and is keen to help us in any way that she and her team can. Alan Corbridge was present to hand over the teddies in Doncaster. We were fortunate enough to present a teddy to a little girl who had just broken her arm, the look of delight on her face made the effort so very worthwhile.
Matron, Lisa Dixon said
“Children are often distressed when they come into A & E and parents are often anxious and worried. We try to alleviate the worry and pain the best we can. Having the teddies in the department will just make the experience a little more pleasant for the child, family and staff.
We try to make the children’s admission as pleasant as possible; having the teddies in the department that they can take home”
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This is a smaller Cottage hospital that still receives minor emergencies and one again here the presentation was very smooth and the Manager Julie Sherritt was absolutely ‘over the moon’ to have this support and was extremely grateful. Julie said that it is very rare for A & E to receive anything; gifts usually go to wards etc but never to A & E.
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Well first things first to answer your questions What on earth are we doing in Nottinghamshire? Quite simply Bassetlaw Hospital is a part of the Doncaster NHS Trust and thus has to be covered by our TLC Appeal. On arrival at the hospital we encountered an emergency and we saw at first hand how quickly the A & E Staff spring into action, we were very impressed. The launch was completed by me and as at every other hospital I was assisted by Mr Photographer Supreme’ Stuart Burrows. Jackie Danby Sister/lead for Paediatrics received the teddies and was so very pleased that they had not been missed out on the Appeal. They say that a picture paints a thousand words, well it did here, the little girl had a real winning smile and went home with two teddies, one of which was for her Dad!!
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What a ‘kick off’ to the appeal in Leeds. The whole nursing team headed by Al Sheward
Business Manager Urgent Care / A&E & Patient Placement Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust was very enthusiastic and welcomed the teddies with open arms. Pictured is a little boy with a sore head, Peter Daniel Brown and mum. It isn’t easy to smile when you are not feeling well but Daniel managed it. Well done to all present and we look forward to working closely with all the A & E staff at the LGI. The local ‘teddy rep’ could not be in the photo, he, Stuart Burrows is on the other side of the camera.
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Well they certainly embraced the appeal at ‘Jimmy’s’ and we were welcomed by the whole team. Unfortunately Julie Groves could not be present because of working nights but her very enthusiastic team made us very welcome. Pictured with Joanne Richardson and Michelle Lazenby is Samuel, now he really likes teddies. Thanks also to Dawn Merrick, Alan Sheward’s PA, who helped organise the day. The ‘teddy rep’ for Jimmy’s is still on the other side of the camera.
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Our local ‘teddy rep’ Howard Tebby was present for the photographs along with Thomas Settle and what seemed like to whole department who wanted to get in on the act. Great launch and I am sure will be a great success.
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Pictured with two colleagues is Sister Lesley Broadhead. Lesley was absolutely delighted to feel a part of the scheme and was very grateful for the support of Freemasons of Yorkshire West Riding. Stating that A & E clinics and minor injuries clinics rarely receive anything then it makes it all the more special that they have been thought of and at last they are not forgotten.
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This was the last, but by no means the least, hospital to take advantage of the RLC Appeal. The launch was completed on 19th June 2008 with A & E Matron, Stephanie Davis, and her staff providing their support. As luck would have it on that particular morning there was not a child to be seen, which in man ways is good news for a child at least but less so for our photographer, but just when we had almost given up along came a child who proved to be very photogenic.
Our local ‘Teddy Rep’ David Simister has worked tirelessly promoting the Appeal and his efforts have been recognised in many of the areas we have launched, but there is no place like home and the notes appended below are proof of that. A big thank you to all the staff at Harrogate District Hospital and it is good to know that we are a team working together.
NEWS RELEASE by
14 October 2008
NEW FURRY FRIENDS SCHEME HELPS PATIENTS AT HARROGATE DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Children attending the Emergency Department at Harrogate District Hospital can now benefit from the Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) Appeal and receive a free teddy to help ease worries and anxiety during their visit.
The TLC Appeal is supported by the Harrogate Freemasons who provide the teddies free of charge through fundraising activities around the Yorkshire area. Being given a teddy bear offers comfort to a child in an often alien and potentially bewildering environment. The teddy can aid staff with distraction and play therapy; it can also be used to demonstrate treatments such as bandaging. The teddies can be taken home by the children to offer further comfort.
The Emergency Department team at Harrogate District Hospital treats over 42,000 patients a year and 8,000 of these are children. The department has a dedicated children’s waiting area and a treatment room designed for children as well as members of the team who have specialised skills in caring for children.
“We’re very grateful to the Freemasons for offering this wonderful scheme. Coming into hospital can be quite scary for some children, and the emergency department is often a very busy and sometimes noisy environment so it helps the staff here a great deal when we can give worried children a lovely teddy,” said Stephanie Davis, Matron for the emergency department. “The teddies work very well as distraction, so the child has something to cuddle and give attention to, and helps to take their mind off how unwell and frightened they might feel, plus if this makes the child more relaxed it means we can take care of them and provide appropriate treatment efficiently.”
The teddies come in a range of colours and are suitable for use in a medical environment as well as conforming to toy safety regulations.
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What a day and what a welcome!!
On Tuesday 18th November we successfully launched the TLC Appeal at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance base at Leeds –Bradford Airport. When we arrived the team had just arrived back from an emergency and were naturally ready to ‘go again’ should the need arise. In receiving the teddies, Katie Gration, Regular Giving Manager, expressed her delight in being associated with the Freemasons of Yorkshire and for the further support being given to them in their sometimes difficult task. Being funded by charitable giving, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance recognises what is means to count every penny and thanks to many contributors, including Freemasons, they are able to provide a worthwhile and on many occasion a life saving service. We were treated to a tour around the helicopter and the operational base and have a good chat with the team based at Yeadon and what a team. We met with both Sammy Wills and Pat Greaken, paramedics; both of whom displayed expert knowledge of the helicopter and the operation as a whole. To be honest we felt privileged to be a part of the team for a brief period. Many of you might recognise the team from the pictures shown as those who are actively part of the BBC programme which is covering the fantastic works of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance teams. So, the teddies are not only in a hospital near you, they now have their ‘wings’ and are airborne too!! Many thanks to Stuart Burrows for his photography; it was difficult to edit the number of photos that is why we have presented this collage to give you a flavour.
Kevin Gould, Provincial Communications Committee
3:52pm Tuesday 14th October 2008
CHILDREN attending a hospital’s emergency department will be given a teddy to ease their anxiety during their visit.
Young visitors to Harrogate District Hospital (HDH) will benefit from the Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) Appeal, which is supported by the Harrogate Freemasons.
The Freemasons provide the free teddies by fundraising throughout Yorkshire. The aim is to offer comfort to children in an alien and potentially bewildering environment.
Teddies can help staff with distraction and play therapy and can be used to demonstrate treatments like bandaging. Children can keep the teddies when they go home.
The emergency department at HDH treats more than 8,000 children a year. It has a dedicated children’s waiting area and treatment room and some team members who are specially trained in dealing with children.
Department matron, Stephanie Davis, said: "We’re very grateful to the Freemasons for offering this wonderful scheme. Coming into hospital can be quite scary for some children and the emergency department is often a very busy and sometimes noisy environment so it helps the staff here a great deal when we can give worried children a lovely teddy.
"The teddies work very well as distraction, so the child has something to cuddle and give attention to, and help to take their mind off how unwell and frightened they might feel. Plus if this makes the child more relaxed it means we can take care of them and provide appropriate treatment efficiently."
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What a fantastic achievement, 16 hospitals in just 12 weeks. The hospital management themselves are all really delighted to be a part of this fantastic scheme and are grateful for the support given by the Freemasons of Yorkshire West Riding. Brethren you can all ‘pat yourselves on the back’ because it is through your efforts in raising funds for charitable causes and in particular West Riding Masonic Charities that has enabled the Charity to provide support. Doesn’t it feel good to give?
Lapel badges – We have been asked for badges by many brethren and we are happy to provide them. It is important to note however that the scheme is not dependent upon the sale of lapel badges, these are purchased to show that you support the scheme and proud to show this to the ‘outside world’, additionally they are a fantastic talking point These can be purchased and we would suggest that you have one for each suit, if you only have four suits then get the extra one just in case you lose one! 5 badges will only cost you £10.00. If you wish to buy a collection please contact teddies@wrprovince.co.uk
We have also been asked if we can supply teddies for purchase, yes of course, these are at a cost of £5.00 each plus postage costs and again contact teddies@wrprovince.co.uk
The Provincial Grand Master is proud of the efforts of his province and grateful to all those who have provided support during the launches of the TLC Appeal and in particular the cameraman Stuart Burrows, who thinks he is Lord Litchfield) and our external PR and press ‘guru’, David Simister for all his imaginative press releases over this period and often late at night.
So brethren the teddies are not coming anymore – THEY ARE HERE
That’s more than 5 times the number of seats in the Beijing Olympic Stadium! And represents over ½ million severely distressed children at A&E units who have been helped by a TLC Teddy.
Just over 7 years ago, Essex Masons launched a scheme at Essex A&E units called “TLC” – Teddies for Loving Care.
The idea was simple. When a child is in severe distress at an A&E unit, they can be difficult to treat and the whole experience can be frightening and very stressful. Produce a TLC Teddy for them to look at, cuddle, or whatever is appropriate, and the whole situation calms down, and often turns to smiles when they are told they can keep the Teddy!
The idea was so successful that it was not long before it spread up and down the Country and overseas. Over 37 counties now also operate the scheme and it also operates in Gibraltar, Cyprus, and even the USA!
What do the hospitals think? - They think it is a wonderful idea. Some quotes from the staff: -
“It's not just a teddy bear it's so much more”
“A Wonderful idea and Contribution to Humanity”.
“ We don’t know how we used to cope without the Teddies”
Today, TLC is celebrating the milestone of helping ½ million severely distressed Children by giving away 500,000 TLC Teddies, a magnificent achievement, all run by and almost entirely funded by freemasons
At the same time TLC announces the honour of the acceptance of Peter Lowndes, Deputy Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England, as Patron of the charity, and John Webb, Provincial Grand Master of Essex, as Vice Patron.
Ian Simpson, Chairman of TLC, said “We are all very proud of the 500,000 TLC Teddies, have relieved severely distressed children. None of this would have been possible without the support, and money from Freemasons. All of there efforts have been recognised by the Deputy Grand Master and Provincial Grand Master accepting the positions of Patron and Vice Patron.”
The TLC Appeal (Teddies for Loving Care) is a Registered Charity no 1087765 and facilitates the Appeals’ activities in Essex and elsewhere. It is run on an entirely voluntary basis and 99% funded by freemasons. Website www.tlcappeal.org
Enquiries
Ian Simpson
Chairman – TLC Appeal
07887 763676
ian.simpson@tlcappeal.org