IT’S THE BEAR NECESSITIES
Twins Emma and Emily take on a teddy trek to give something back to Glasgow kids hospital
From Santa’s Little Helpers to fundraising teddies — these twins really can walk the walk.
Emma and Emily McHugh took on their latest fundraising challenge with a sponsored trek around the James Hamilton Heritage Park.
They raised over £1000 for Glasgows Children’s Hospital as the seven-yearold duo and 30 pals braved the wet weather.
For the last two years, the Greenhills girls presented toys to kids at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children who could not make it home for Christmas.
Last year, they were thanked for all their hard work at a special assembly at Greenhills Primary School where they had all 133 of the toys they were donating at the front of the hall.
The family have a close connection to the ‘Teddy Bear Hospital,’ as Emily has recently underwent surgery and was supported through this with play therapy sessions.
Her procedures were explained and shown to her using teddy bears.
Emily was born with a kidney condition and at just two years old, she was diagnosed with scoliosis of the spine and spina bifida and required regular trips to Yorkhill.
Mum Tracey revealed that the play therapy team helped answer questions the family had and gave both girls the opportunity to carry out the operation Emily was having on the teddy bears.
“Our way of thanking the team was our teddy trek to raise funds for the teddy bear hospital and buy some of the resources they require to support other children and families,” she told the News.
“We have already donated four teddy bears with heartbeats, clothing and beds for the bears as well as other specifically made teddy bears to support children with stoma bags and tracheostomy.
“We are so overwhelmed by the support not only of friends and family but also the local community.
“Lindsay House staff donated £100 to our appeal and Bright Horizons nursery in Hamilton are holding their own teddy trek with all funds going to our fundraiser.
“Emily managed to walk once around the loch which is an amazing achievement for her and was pushed around the second lap by her twin Emma and her older cousins.”