On the 27 April, Roger Garrett and Graham Riche met with Very Revd David Senyk of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy at Goldsmith St, Nottingham where is was agreed to provide 'Teddies for Loving Care Bears' to all Ukrainian refugee children arriving in the Midlands, several of which are un-escorted.
David advised that he had already distributed the initial box of bears he had received via Roger and that the children’s reaction was most heartwarming. He expressed his deep gratitude to TLC (Teddies for Loving Care) and Nottinghamshire Freemasons and he looked forward to building an ongoing relationship in the Midlands and potentially, over time, across the UK.
Graham and Roger presented David and his assistant, Taras from Ukraine, with a fresh batch of bears and made arrangements to deliver further boxes direct to David's home office.
(Photo: Roger Garrett and Graham Riche presenting TLC bears to V Revd David Senyk and his assistant Taras.)
Graham was also able to advise that TLC Nottinghamshire had also sent bears direct to refugee camps in Poland via a local team of volunteers who had driven a lorry across Europe.
They also expressed their grateful thanks to local Freemasons and TLC for their generous support.