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 he has completed launches at the following locations:
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
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 absolutly 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 wit h 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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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 ach 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