Provincial Grand Lodge of Hampshire & Isle of Wight

TEDDIES FOR LOVING CARE
Registered Charity No. 1087765
Hampshire & Isle of Wight TLC Representative
W.Bro. Barrie C. J. Hewitt PPGSwdB Provincial Grand Charity Steward
c/o 85 Winchester Road Chandler’s Ford Eastleigh Hants SO53 2GG
Tel: (023) 8021555

What IS TLC?

Teddies for Loving care was established within the Province of Essex in 2000 as a Freemasonry in the Community initiative.

TLC’s simple objective is for Freemasons to provide teddy bears, principally to Hospital Accident and Emergency units, but also to others in need:-

• For the medical and administration staff to give, at their discretion, to children admitted who are in severe distress and
• here the staff feel that a teddy to cuddle will help alleviate that distress and
• to assist them in their urgent work.

Each teddy carries a tag “Donated by local Freemasons” and the pure nature of the appeal has benefitted Freemasonry. There is no doubt that as a result of this small and simple gesture, there is an increasing public awareness of the contribution being made within the local community by Brethren; as well as a greater understanding of the moral principles on which Freemasonry is founded.

Each child that receives a teddy is of course allowed to take the teddy home.

HOW IS TLC FUNDED?

The charity receives funds that have been donated by local Freemasons.

HOW IS THE PROVINCE INVOLVED?

Our Provincial Grand Master RW Bro Brian C Bellinger, announced his Province’s support at the annual meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in 2005.

As well as providing teddies to nine Hospital A & E Departments throughout the Province our TLC operation has been extended to include the Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance Service, St John Ambulance and several Women’s Refuges. Children admitted into a Refuge are often severely distressed and suffering from the effects of domestic violence. Very often they won’t talk to the staff; but a TLC bear works wonders, calming them down so that they will talk freely to it – their new friend – allowing the staff to glean vital information and insight into the child’s domestic situation. By the very nature of their modus operandi, details of these refuges must remain confidential.

Our involvement extends beyond our Province’s boundaries to Frimley Park Hospital Children’s A & E Unit. This is the closest A & E Hospital to Brethren living in the north-east part of our Province.

WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION?

Enquiries about Teddies for Loving care within Hampshire and IOW should be addressed to the Provincial Grand Charity Steward. However each of the hospitals, hospices and refuges etc has a dedicated masonic contact. Individual contact details for the following Hospitals and Refuges etc may be obtained from the Provincial Grand Charity Steward via the Provincial Office.

Locations

         
HOW AND WHERE TO DONATE

Due to the magnificent response by Lodges to support TLC there are currently sufficient funds to meet the present and anticipated demand. However, you as an individual or your Lodge may of course continue to contribute to the scheme. There are also lapel badges which should be available at each Masonic Centre, or through your Group Area Representative or the Provincial Grand Charity Steward. Ideally donations from individuals or Lodges should be Gift Aided. The Provincial Charity Steward would be pleased to supply approved Hants & IOW TLC Relief Chest Gift Aid forms upon request.

Donations should be sent to  the Grand Charity Relief Chest Scheme at 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ. Cheques should be made payable to “The Grand Charity” and must be credited to the “Hampshire and Isle of Wight TLC Relief Chest No E0101”

For further information and interesting reading/testimonials etc please visit the TLC website  at http://www.tlcappeal.org/

TLC would not operate as successfully as it does in our Province without the assistance of our own TLC Contacts, the goodwill and co-operation of the staff and parents involved at the various hospitals and other centres and, of course the Brethren of this Province who, through their generosity, have made it all possible. Grateful thanks are extended to everyone involved.