Teddies for Loving Care Marks 25 Years of Comforting Children

Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday 7th March 2026 with a special event at Freemasons’ Hall in Leicester. The milestone brought together civic leaders, healthcare partners, and Freemasons to honour a quarter‑century of providing comfort to children in hospital.

Founded in Essex 25 years ago, TLC began as a simple idea: to give a teddy bear to children attending Accident & Emergency units or hospital wards, helping to ease fear and anxiety during what can be distressing experiences. Each child keeps their teddy, offering reassurance long after their visit. The initiative is funded and run primarily by Freemasons, who volunteer their time to distribute the bears and support hospitals across England and Wales.

The scheme’s national expansion was driven by Leicester Freemason Mike Turnbull, whose efforts helped bring TLC not only to Leicestershire but to hospitals across the country. Since its inception, more than four million teddy bears have been given to children in A&E departments nationwide.

In Leicestershire, the Leicester Royal Infirmary and Loughborough Hospitals have benefited from the scheme for over 21 years, with plans now underway to extend support to additional care settings across the county.

The anniversary celebration brought together an array of distinguished guests, including:

• Alison Smith, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire

• Teresa Aldred, Lord Mayor of Leicester

• Maggie Corley, Lord Mayor’s Consort

• Dr Sarah Furness, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland

• Emily Taylor, Warning Zone

• Mariam James, Leicester Royal Infirmary

• Vickie Wells, Loughborough Urgent Treatment Centre

  
  

During the event, Peter Kinder, Head of Leicestershire & Rutland Freemasons, announced a £50,000 grant awarded to Warning Zone, gratefully accepted by Emily Taylor. The grant will support the charity’s ongoing work in educating young people about safety and risk awareness.

The celebration highlighted not only the longevity of TLC but also its enduring impact: a small bear, given at a difficult moment, offering comfort when it is needed most.