Gift packs lockdown lift for ill youngsters
TEDDIES AMONG TREATS BEING SENT TO FAMILIES
SERIOUSLY ill children are being given a lockdown lift thanks to a charity’s efforts to spread joy.
Me&dee is delivering treat packs to youngsters fighting illness across the East Midlands. Each includes a teddy with the gift tag message: “While real hugs are limited, here is a bear to hug.”
The charity supports families where a child or adult is facing serious, life-limiting health issues.
More than 100 surprise packs have already been delivered, with 22 families and 49 children receiving gifts.
As well as giving children a lift, the packs are filled with activities to battle boredom at a time when many can rarely leave their homes or play with other youngsters.
One girl who loves her bear-hug teddy is six-year-old Charley Strickland, from Castle Donington.
Charley has tumours and diabetes insipidus, a rare condition which means her body cannot balance its fluid levels.
She goes to sleep cuddling the teddy she was given.
Mum Julia said: “Charley has been having chemotherapy for three years so lockdown has been hard for her, especially with no siblings or children her own age to play with.
“Things like this make her feel special.”
Me&dee founder Maria Hanson said: “We wanted to do something special to help families during these difficult times.
“For children facing health issues, living in an uncertain, isolated world can make life even harder.
“We felt we had to do something to help families whose holiday with us had been cancelled or delayed.
“We also wanted to support new families recommended to us who we have not had chance to help yet due to the Covid crisis.”
As well as the teddies, the bags of treats, which take into account age, gender and abilities, include paintyour-own bird feeder and make-awindchime kits, flower seeds, a notebook for sharing feelings and a hot chocolate and biscuits treat for the whole family.
Maria said: “Who wouldn’t want a bear hug?”
“We’re including items to entertain children in a positive way. Though stuck at home, they can still grow flowers and feed the birds.
“We also wanted to provide something the whole family could enjoy together, hence the hot chocolate and biscuits.
“We’ve had some fantastic feedback from delighted families and we will be working hard to deliver surprise gift boxes to as many children as possible.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to receive a start-up Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) grant which, together with invaluable support from Midlands businesses The Butler’s Pantry, Pennline, Essential Print
Services and Embello, has enabled this project to get off the ground.
“The first 100 gift boxes are covered by the grant but we would love to supply more as we’re receiving dozens of requests.
“If anyone can offer me&dee sponsorship or support, we would love to hear from them.”
To find out more about me&dee, or offer support, visit the website or call 01332 297011.