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Kelly Holmes Loves our Teddies
Dame Kelly Holmes the double Olympic Gold medallist at the Athens games was the guest of honour. Also invited were a dozen or so children who, over the past year had received treatment at the A&E unit. When we arrived at the reception area with packs of teddies, the children seeing the teddies run towards us as if greeting an old friend and wanting to get one and cuddle, it was an absolutely wonderful moment, which makes all our efforts worthwhile by seeing the children so happy with our teddies. When Kelly arrived she was introduced to Matron, ward manager, doctors and us, in that order, I knew the hospitals appreciated our work but did not realise how highly we were regarded and Matron explained that we represent local Masons and what we do for the hospital. We asked Kelly if we could take photos of her with the teddies and children, she agreed without hesitation. We had an enjoyable afternoon and on leaving John and I felt fully satisfied that our work is appreciated and that it was the reward that sweetens labour. Needless to add that without the generosity of the Brethren, Companions, Masonic Clubs and individuals none of this would have been possible.
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More Hospitals for the “Teddies”
I am very pleased to announce the addition of two more hospitals in Middlesex to the TLC Scheme, they are the Ealing Hospital in Southall and the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice in Hampton. We went to Ealing
hospital to ascertain if they would accept our offer of free Teddies
for their children’s A&E unit. We prepared ourselves
well to answer any questions that we may be asked and we were
ready for a hard time convincing them of the benefits of the scheme.
Fortunately for us we did not need to do much convincing. The
sister in charge of the unit listened to us at length and when
we mentioned the word Freemasons she stopped us on our tracks
and asked “you are the Masons, my uncle is a Mason and I
know from him the good deeds that you do and if this is one of
them we will accept your offer of Teddies”. During the friendly
conversation that followed, the sister asked if we could also
provide some stick on badges to give to children too old for a
Teddy. The approach to the Shooting Star Hospice was somewhat easier, as we had a man “on the inside”, the resident Community Fund Raiser, W. Bro. Vernon Watts, who put our proposal to the board and was accepted unanimously. I was surprised to know from Vernon that although the children who spend time in the Hospice bring their own toys with them, they welcome a new one and consider him as a new friend they can confide to and tell about all their pains and sufferings. Recently we were invited by the Hospice for their “Siblings” day, that’s when the patient’s siblings visit the Hospice to see where the less fortunate members of the family spend their time. We were made very welcome by the staff with words of gratitude for the Teddies we provide and also by Siblings who made us feel part of their family. We were shown around the Hospice. Now that we have eight hospitals to provide and distribute Teddies to, needless to say that our resources are stretched financially and physically, financially the reason is obvious and physically, that is the “Teddy Boys” who deliver the boxes to hospitals, six of us looking after 8 units. In order to continue our good work, I appeal to you, whatever spare cash you have in your Masonic unit, club etc. please donate it to the TLC and make a child smile and if anyone can spare couple of hours a month to deliver the Teddies it will be very much appreciated, please contact me. Finally, a big thank you for the donations made by Masonic units, clubs and individuals. Very much needed and appreciated. Noubar
Manoukian
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