8:10am Wednesday 10th March 2010
By World reporter
DISTRESSED children arriving at Halton Hospital’s minor injuries unit now have little furry friends to help them feel better .
A big family of teddies has been donated by local Freemasons.
Sister Mary Thompson, of the minor injuries unit, said: “We used to have our own cuddly toys that staff took home and washed but due to the infectious diseases regulations, these all had to go.
“Having a supply of teddies that we can give away is really useful and means that we can provide an additional level of comfort to those who need it.”
Nurses use the teddies as a friendly go-between so that treatment can be administered quicker.
The injured child can then take the teddy home.
Teddies for Loving Care, TLC, was created by an Essex Freemason in 2001.
More than 500,000 teddies have been distributed to hospitals all over the country.
Freemason Derek Thomas said: “Everyone loves them.
“As we appear to be a secretive organisation, we can touch the hearts of many without anyone knowing, although each bear has a label saying presented by local Freemasons.”
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