I am very pleased to announce the addition of two more hospitals in Middlesex to the TLC Scheme, they are the Ealing Hospital in Southall and the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice in Hampton.

We went to Ealing hospital to ascertain if they would accept our offer of free Teddies for their children’s A&E unit. We prepared ourselves well to answer any questions that we may be asked and we were ready for a hard time convincing them of the benefits of the scheme. Fortunately for us we did not need to do much convincing. The sister in charge of the unit listened to us at length and when we mentioned the word Freemasons she stopped us on our tracks and asked “you are the Masons, my uncle is a Mason and I know from him the good deeds that you do and if this is one of them we will accept your offer of Teddies”. During the friendly conversation that followed, the sister asked if we could also provide some stick on badges to give to children too old for a Teddy.
I took on board this idea and with the help of a member of my Lodge produced some and distributed them to all the hospitals as a pilot scheme and to see the response. It proved to be a huge success, the hospitals can’t have enough of them. I wrote to the nationwide Chairman of the TLC informing him of the success of the stickers and I hope that the Middlesex initiative will be adopted by other Provinces with a TLC scheme.

The approach to the Shooting Star Hospice was somewhat easier, as we had a man “on the inside”, the resident Community Fund Raiser, W. Bro. Vernon Watts, who put our proposal to the board and was accepted unanimously. I was surprised to know from Vernon that although the children who spend time in the Hospice bring their own toys with them, they welcome a new one and consider him as a new friend they can confide to and tell about all their pains and sufferings.

Recently we were invited by the Hospice for their “Siblings” day, that’s when the patient’s siblings visit the Hospice to see where the less fortunate members of the family spend their time. We were made very welcome by the staff with words of gratitude for the Teddies we provide and also by Siblings who made us feel part of their family. We were shown around the Hospice.

Now that we have eight hospitals to provide and distribute Teddies to, needless to say that our resources are stretched financially and physically, financially the reason is obvious and physically, that is the “Teddy Boys” who deliver the boxes to hospitals, six of us looking after 8 units.

In order to continue our good work, I appeal to you, whatever spare cash you have in your Masonic unit, club etc. please donate it to the TLC and make a child smile and if anyone can spare couple of hours a month to deliver the Teddies it will be very much appreciated, please contact me.

Finally, a big thank you for the donations made by Masonic units, clubs and individuals. Very much needed and appreciated.