Local charity recycling old clothes into memory keepsakes

In 2013, Memory Bear 4U founder Kerry was diagnosed with a chronic illness and, unable to work any longer, was advised by a doctor to ‘get a hobby’ to keep both her hands and memory working. She made her first Memory Bear for her husband Darren using old clothing but items still loved by her children Jack and Georgia couple have made keepsakes to celebrate newborns using their first baby grow, towel etc, brides using both the groom’s suit and part of the bridal gown, uniforms from military, schools, scouts etc. A large number of the bears are also sadly made from clothing of loved ones who have passed to keep as a cherished memory rather than keeping the clothes hidden in a wardrobe or landfill.

One thing led to another and fast forward 10 years, with the help of Darren, little did Kerry know she was going to have made over 1,500 memory bears with all profits made going to local charities or organisations.

The most recent donation was £500 to Riverside Special Educational Needs School. Bears can be made from any items of material and the

Kerry told Our Goole: “We like to make the bears as special as possible for people and take time to find out what memories make them smile about their loved ones, then we try and incorporate that memory somehow in to the bear. We are proud of the bears we make and even more proud of the fact we are able to help our local community”

The couple have often been asked to make a bear for an organisation to raffle or auction off to raise funds and are very happy to help out if they can. One of their bears even made it to the hallowed turf of Wembley as mascot for Hull FC in the 2017 Rugby League Challenge Cup Final. This bear was later raffled off to raise funds for a young six-year-old boy from Hull, far left, who was having treatment for a life-threatening illness.

For more information visit either their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ memorybear4u or their website at www.memorybear4u.com