Last year’s Teddy Toss happened at the Edinburgh Capitals game on November 13th and the response was amazing from both sets of fans! All teddies were donated to The Children’s Foundation, based at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The Children’s Foundation have been back in touch with an update.
“Thank you for making The Children’s Foundation the recipient of the 2022 Teddy Toss, it gave us a lot of fun,” Fundraising Manager Susan Jones told us. “Uncovering each ‘cuddly’ was a voyage of discovery. Dave the Sloth was popular with donors last year… and popular with recipients as well!”
Susan outlined where the teddies went:
- The Clown Doctors took some onto wards to leave with children with whom they were interacting. They often use props, and work alongside healthcare professionals, particularly physiotherapists, in encouraging children to engage and respond with their recovery and treatment.
- Some went directly to paediatric staff, to bring joy to their patients.
- One was used as a driver to sell raffle tickets with a company who are supporting The Children’s Foundation. Ralph the Reindeer was very successful, helping raise over £500 in support of their work with children in the North East.
- A significant number went to Building Futures East, based in Walker, for their Christmas Campaign, supporting vulnerable families.
- Some were given to refugee children.
- One was a name the prize on social media.
- The ‘farm animals’, who together constitute ‘Old MacDonald’s Farm’, are going to Byker Sands so that they can use them with their toddler groups .
- Some are held at The Children’s Foundation HQ in anticipation of Easter activity.
- Finally, some were included in a pack that The Children’s Foundation made up to support a family who had not had the best year and Mum found herself a newly single parent, and starting over. She was known to the charity from a previous interaction, as this is not a programme they are running now.
“I trust this shows just how valuable they were, and the impact they will be having on children’s lives in the North East,” Susan said. “Please pass on our thanks to the team and supporters.”
To find out more about The Children’s Foundation, visit their website at thechildrensfoundation.co.uk.
Thank you, Warriors and Capitals fans!