TLC (Teddies for Loving Care) is a charity set up and run by Freemasons in England, Wales and the Channel Islands.
A hospital visit can be a frightening experience for a young child, especially in an emergency situation. TLC is a way of providing much needed comfort to children in A&E and other departments, helping to reduce the shock and distress of their experience. Every child that receives a teddy gets to take it home.
TLC is locally funded and managed by Jersey Freemasons, who also volunteer their time to run the scheme. Since its inception in 2001, many hundreds of teddies have been distributed in Jersey, and with over 3.5 million teddies distributed nationally.
From the original concept of providing teddies for A&E departments, the scheme, and types of teddies available, have grown significantly. TLC teddies are now supplied for use in all hospital departments, to care homes, and to hospices; there are even teddies flying on air ambulances!
Jersey Freemasons recently received the following email from an appreciative parent describing first-hand the comfort and reassurance children gain from a TLC teddy.
“Yesterday my 2 year old son had an ultrasound before undergoing his second hip surgery in two days.
Thank you so much for the donation of teddy bears to the ultrasound department. What may have felt like a small gesture on your part, felt like someone was holding our hand at one of the most stressful times either of us have endured.”
With such testimony, it is not surprising that Jersey Freemasons are committed to continue sponsoring TLC.
