Teddies sent with tender loving care

7:57am Thursday 7th December 2006

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A TEDDY bear proved a calming influence when George Grismond, who will be two on New Year's Day, visited Hereford County Hospital's A&E department.

The bear, presented to George by the nurses treating him, was one of 800 that have been given to children who find themselves in the A&E department or the paediatric ward at the hospital by the local Freemasons.

The Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) scheme was originated by Freemasons in Essex and then taken up elsewhere, with the first teddy arriving in Herefordshire in November 2004.

The scheme was prompted by research which showed that when children in hospital were given a toy to cuddle, their anxiety and trauma were reduced.

George's step-granddad, Tim Bridgland-Taylor, was especially pleased to discover from the label on the teddy that the bear George has called "Blue Bear" was a TLC bear - as he is a member of Dean Waterfield Masonic Lodge.