Julia's House calling on Wiltshire schools to hold 'Teddy Takeovers'
The children's hospice charity's latest fundraiser needs cuddly helpers!
Wiltshire's children's hospice charity is looking for toy bears to help with their latest fundraiser.
Julia's House is holding the 'Big Teddy Takeover' for the first time, calling on schools, nurseries and kids' groups to get involved.
Fundraiser for the charity, Claudia Hickin said:
“The idea is simple but lots of fun. Children and teachers are invited to bring in a cuddly toy and a £1 donation for Julia’s House on a day of their school’s choice in June. And if they’d like to make their Big Teddy Takeover even bigger, they could add onesies and slippers, book and bake sales, teddy bear picnics, teddy-themed lessons and more.”
The Big Teddy Takeover's being held during the national Children's Hospice Week, from 19th to 25th June.
All the money raised will go towards Julia's House's work with seriously ill children, providing respite care and support for their families.
One of the children cared for by Julia’s House is six-year-old Isabella Chan, from Amesbury.
Isabella was born with chronic lung disease and needs extra oxygen to help her breathe. She has to carry an oxygen cylinder with her wherever she goes, including on the swing when she’s playing with the charity’s nurses and carers.
Isabella loves cuddly toys and one of her favourite teddies is her Fuggler, which sometimes comes with her on her hospice visits.
The charity receives just 8% ongoing government funding and relies almost entirely on donations to provide its lifeline of care.
Claudia said:
“The children we care for all have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They need specialist, round-the-clock care for these complex conditions and that can be incredibly hard on their families.
“Our team of nurses and carers don’t just care for the seriously ill child, they also look after the children’s siblings, parents and grandparents too. We help them however we can, whether that’s with clinical care and respite support in the home or hospice, fun weekends away for sisters and brothers or complementary therapy and practical help for mums and dads.”
You can find out more, and sign up for the Big Teddy Takeover on the Julia's House website.