Children receive donated teddies at Surrey hospital

Teddies for Loving Care was set up in 2001 and has provided over 3.5 million teddies to youngsters

Children at the Royal Surrey's paediatric emergency department have received donated teddies.

The colourful bears were given to the hospital by charitable organisation Teddies for Loving Care (TLC).

Talei Yabia, a senior sister in the department, said the teddies made a "huge difference" to young patients who were feeling nervous and unwell.

"It can be very scary visiting a hospital ED, so it’s great for us to be able to hand over a soft comforting teddy and say, ‘you’ve been so brave, look we’ve got a lovely surprise for you!'" she said.

Steve Butwell, chairman of TLC Surrey, said the toys could also be used to help distract distressed children "or they can demonstrate a simple procedure using the teddies.”

The charity was set up by Freemasons in 2001 and has provided more than 3.5 million teddies to children visiting hospitals in England and Wales.

The donated bears are also used by some police forces to support children found at the scene of traumatic incidents.

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