The Medical staff give, at their discretion, these lovely toys to children who are in severe distress and where the staff feel that a teddy to cuddle will alleviate that distress. The children take the teddies home with them.

The TLC Appeal is a Nationwide Masonic initiative and a Registered Charity, it has a website and well in excess of 1 Million TLC teddies have been donated to distressed children in Paediatric A & E departments.

The Hospital Management consider these teddies to be a valuable tool in the care of sick children and wanted to meet some of the local Freemasons who have been involved in raising the money to provide the TLC Teddy Bears. Richard Saunders the TLC Appeal Officer for Chester Freemasons organised a Teddy Bear’s Picnic in the Emergency Department and his wife Pauline and friend Angela Jones baked a special TLC Cake and dozens of cup cakes. Mr. Tony Chambers Chief Executive together with senior Hospital Management , Consultant and Nursing Staff met a group of Freemasons headed by George Mann, Assistant Provincial Grand Master for the Chester Area and Michael McGarva.

The roll of Freemasony in the Community and in supporting Hospitals, Hospices and local Charities was discussed. Miss Jo Winsor Lead Nurse in the Emergency Department said “We don’t know what we would do if we didn’t have the TLC Bears we are grateful to the Masons for their generosity.“

Young Master Lewis Green who had fallen over and cut his face and bumped his head was given a TLC teddy for being brave and joined in the Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

The Hospital have asked the Masons to repeat the event in 12 Months time.

Photos:  

Top

Front Row from left to right, Jane Evans Pathway Manager, Lead Nurse Jo Winsor, Tony Chambers Chief Executive, Freemasons George Mann, Michael McGarva, Paul Gamble

Back Row from left to right Sister Hayley Belton, Consultant Ray Mhittel, Karen Townsend Divisional Director of Urgent Care, Lesley Freeman Director of Nursing, Consultant Steve Moore, Freemasons 

Bottom 

Freemason Richard Saunders, Lead Nurse Jo Winsor, Master Lewis Green, George Mann Assistant Provincial Grand Master