Children at Broughton Gifford Pre-School joined thousands of youngsters across Wiltshire to enjoy a Big Teddy Takeover this summer term for Julia’s House Children’s Hospice.
Around 35 schools across Wiltshire took part in the local charity’s bear-y special new fundraising event during the national Children’s Hospice Week, from 17th to 23rd June.
Maria Kiff, Broughton Gifford Pre-School Manager, said, “The children have loved taking part by bringing their teddies in from home and we’ve enjoyed lots of themed activities over the week. We’ve had teddy bear picnics, a special music and movement session, and our forest school has been teddy themed. Plus, we’ve done a lot of teddy songs, teddy bear hunts, arts and crafts – all sorts – and we also held a big cake sale. It’s been really fun!”
Julia’s House relies almost entirely on donations to provide its compassionate and critical care to families of the most seriously ill children in Wiltshire. The charity’s specialist nurses provide tailored care completely free to families – both in the charity’s Devizes-based children’s hospice and in families’ homes.
Maria said, “The idea to take part in the Big Teddy Takeover was suggested by one of our parents. Her son Felix has very complex care needs and their family was supported by Julia’s House during lockdown. Felix’s mum said that the support they had from Julia’s House was really helpful for them, and she wanted to raise money for other local children and families that the charity cares for.”
Broughton Gifford Pre-School raised £175 for Julia’s House. The local children’s hospice charity is hopeful that more than £6,000 will be raised in total by the Big Teddy Takeover initiative.
Julia’s House Fundraiser, Claudia Hazelton, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled so many schools, pre-schools and groups took part in our Big Teddy Takeover this year. It has been wonderful to see children having fun while raising money for Julia’s House, and every pound donated will support our life-changing care for local families.”
Claudia added, “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken part and donated. And we hope Wiltshire’s teddy bears will continue to take over many more schools and community groups next year!”
The Julia’s House Big Teddy Takeover was kindly sponsored by the Wiltshire-based legal experts, Awdry Law. To find out more about Julia’s House and fundraising opportunities, please visit www.juliashouse.org