Buddy BagFoundation

BUDDY BAG FOUNDATION Garden tea party forteddybears

Eccleshall Rotarian Sylvia Keris, with the help of otherRotary Clubs all over the country, and individual knitters, has recentlygathered together the latest batch of donated teddies for aTeddy Bears tea party in the garden.

The Teddy Bears Garden Tea Party took place prior to Sylvia delivering them to the next Buddy Bag Foundation’s packing session. Sylvia was joined at the teddy tea party by aDuck from Eccleshall Rotary club’s Hook-a-Duck stall.

Sylvia, an ambassador for the Buddy Bag Foundation (BBF) charity, acts as a collection point for knitted teddies -whichare acomfort toy added to children’s Buddy Backpacks, along with essential clothingand toiletries.

Hundreds of Buddy Bags are packed at theregular weekly packing sessions, which are then sent to refuges throughout the UK -where children are taken to safety away from domestic violence. Sylvia said: “Approx 48,000 children are affected in the UK every year; and sadly, there have been more cases of domestic abuseduring lockdown. “So the charity needs to meet the demand for more Buddy Bags and kind knitters to make the teddies. “I am also seeking people to kindly sew fabric drawstring toiletry bags and make zipped pencil cases, to holdthese items within thebackpacks. “And Lego is also very much sought after -as therapists in refuges have found creative play with Lego helpstraumatized children. “Donations of knitting wool are also welcome, to help supply knitters whorequire this to make more teddies.”

Knitters can use their own teddy patterns, or some can be found on the charity’s website at: www.buddybagfoundation.co. uk and teddiescan be in any colour wool,orcombination of colours.

For further details on any of the items needed, or to arrange delivery please contact Sylvia on 01785 851005.