TLC offer their support to local Hospice.

Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) is a charity supported by Freemasons (or as we prefer to call it, “Our Charity”) that distribute teddy bears to children in hospital, Accident & Emergency and other paediatric units. The staff tell us that without our bears, they could not do their job in reducing the fear and distress that the children experience. And the best part is that the children always get to take the bear home afterwards, which in many cases last throughout their adult lives.

The Nottingham branch of TLC, headed by chairman Roger Garrett, work tirelessly to make sure that every child who would gain comfort from having a teddy bear in their lives during traumatic situations receives one. At the same time, W Bros Roger, W Bro John Pawlik, and the team actively promote the charity and all its outstanding work to the local community.

An example of the care and attention that Nottinghamshire TLC provide to those in need was recently displayed when the team visited Sir John Eastwood Hospice in Sutton- In- Ashfield, who provide care for people with life limiting conditions in Mid- Nottinghamshire, and enhances the quality of life for patients and support their families.

W Bro Roger Garrett, Chair of TLC Nottinghamshire and W Bro John Pawlik offer their support to Sir John Eastwood Hospice.

Roger kindly wrote the following testimony after spending time at the hospice, highlighting the care and passion that the Nottinghamshire Freemasons have to support young lives during challenging times.

Sir John Eastwood Hospice

“A place that many of us know. A place where some of us will have said our goodbyes to our loved ones. A place where the staff are extremely caring, understanding, and supportive to patients and their friends and family.

So, what role does TLC play? Well, the hospice had thought of the idea already. It wanted to provide a basket of soft toys, including elephants, teddy bears and giraffes, but sadly, most were past their sell- by dates.

Nottinghamshire TLC was then alerted that there was an opportunity to re-stock the basket with our own orange bears. The label on the basket was also updated, so that it now reads,

“If you need a cuddle, please feel free to choose a TLC Bear, kindly donated by the Freemasons of Nottinghamshire.”

TLC teddy bears all waiting for someone to give them a cuddle.

These teddies are provided not only for patients who are at the end- of -life care, benefiting from this simple gesture, but also to other children who spend time in the hospice, possibly visiting parents or grandparents during very difficult times.

The teddy bear becomes more than just a toy- it is a trusted friend and a source of security. They are hugged tightly during moments of fear or loneliness, whispered secrets only they can hear, provide warmth and safety, becoming a treasured companion through both joyful days and restless nights.

W Bro John Pawlik looking for a new owner to look after one of the TLC teddy bears.

After the warm welcome from all the staff at Sir John Eastwood Hospice, it is the burning ambition of the TLC team to replicate this success at the remaining Hospices in Nottinghamshire, providing peace, security and comfort to young lives.”

The Nottinghamshire Freemasons are immensely proud to contribute to the provision of the TLC teddy bears to children when they need them most, allowing them to feel more like children again during difficult times.