TEDDY bears came out to play across Melksham last week, as schools, clubs and companies took part in Ted’s Big Day Out appeal.
The campaign is to raise money for the new cancer care unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, and encouraged children and adults alike to take their teddies out with them for the day.
The event takes place annually, with this year’s additional theme being head wear, as those taking part were also invited to wear a wig or raise a hat for cancer care.
Daisychain nursery in Whitley had a special visit from Ted himself as staff and children brought their teddies into nursery. Sarah Radford manager at Daisychain said, “It has been absolutely brilliant. Everyone has really enjoyed it and for the children it is a build up of excitement all week until Ted arrived.
“It is not just today with their teddies and Big Ted’s visit that we have organised for fundraising. We have also held a cake sale, wore hats and had a bear hunt. The parents’ support has been fantastic and we really appreciate it.
“So far we have raised £210 and hopefully there is more to come. It’s great that it is for a local benefit that, fingers-crossed, none of the children here ever need or their families, but it’s good that the money raised is staying local.”
Daisychain wasn’t Big Ted’s only stop in the area as he then went to Mavern House Nursing Home in Shaw where residents were raising money by wearing hats and wigs. There was also a special visit from a local karaoke singer to entertain residents and celebrate the fundraising day.
Georgina Payne a staff member at the nursing home said, “We are very happy that Ted has been able to come visit us today and I think all the residents here have enjoyed it.”
Enrichment leader Louise Harding echoed Georgina’s comments. She said, “It’s such a good cause and everyone has loved having Ted here. So far we have raised around £100, but hopefully by the end we will have close to double that.”
A collection also took place for Ted’s Big Day Out at Sainsbury’s where Melksham women Joyce Mackenzie and Elaine Lewis stood in Pocahontas-style costumes with a collection bucket all day. They collected £565 in total having spent all day at Sainsbury’s and then visiting skittles clubs in the evening with their buckets.
They said, “We do this every year as it is such a fantastic cause.”
The event was held as part of the Forever Friends appeal. Initially the appeal was to raise £5million in four years for a state-of-the-art cancer care centre at the RUH. However, this has been secured early and a second part of its RUH Cancer Care campaign has been launched with a further £2-3million target to be raised. The new centre which is hoped to be built by 2016/17 will feature modern facilities for cancer patients, as well as overnight accommodation for their families.
