Teddies on a Mission
As some of you will know, we at Footprints and Whispers are champions of Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. To find out why this hospital and charity is dear to us, please read for more information .
We are so proud to champion such an incredible charity. One of our core values is to support amazing charities that have a personal connection to our work. Our sister organisation, Love2Donate, which creates online Tribute and Donation pages for Funeral Directors so the bereaved can make a donation to a charity in memory, also aligns with our values. Through donations received in memory of a loved one, Love2Donate has forwarded a very impressive £16,848,180 to charities across the UK and beyond.
Last week, we took some of our Merrythought ‘Always With Me’ teddy bears to the hospital for distribution to children who are going through a heart-breaking time. On this occasion our bears travelled to Magnolia House, which sits discretely inside Birmingham Children’s Hospital grounds, and will be given to the siblings who have lost a brother or sister.
Magnolia House is dedicated to the best possible palliative and end of life care to children and their families and is run by a wonderful team, managed by Tas. The charity worked tirelessly to raise funds to build this space – and continues to do so ensuring its ongoing financial needs are met to support family units.
Losing a sibling is an incredibly difficult experience. In times of such profound grief, small gestures of kindness can make a significant difference. Giving a teddy bear to a sibling who has recently lost their brother or sister is a heartfelt way to offer comfort and support. These cuddly companions can provide a sense of security and a tangible reminder that they are not alone during this challenging time. Our bears have a secret pouch in their backs that would be a perfect place to hold a little treasure, reminding them of their brother or sister.
The bears can offer a form of emotional support, helping to ease the pain of loss. Holding onto a teddy bear can provide a sense of continuity and connection, allowing children to express their feelings in a safe and comforting way. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that can help them navigate their emotions and find a bit of peace amidst the turmoil.
Giving some of our profits and small gestures, such as these teddy bears, is our way of thanking Birmingham Children’s Hospital for the help, emotional support and guidance offered to our family when it was needed the most. Giving back to help other children and families going through a traumatic time in their lives is something we feel very passionate about.
