20/3/2008

Local News

Bundles of bears

BEAR PIT: Sylvia McPhee with some of the hundreds of bears donated to help charity

THERE has been a dramatic rise in the number of homeless teddy bears in Aldershot – and residents are being asked to provide them with shelter.
The Co-operative Funeralcare in Victoria Road is the guardian of around 200 cuddly toys waiting for a good home.
Thanks to the generosity of Star readers, bears are still being donated to the funeral home, following its appeal for teddy bears almost two years ago. The appeal was to raise money for a children’s breathing monitor for St Peter’s Hospital in Chertsey.
Although £800 was successfully raised by the end of the appeal, people continued to drop off unwanted or unloved teddy bears to Sylvia McPhee, funeral director at the funeral home, who didn’t have the heart to turn them away.
Well-behaved, toilet-trained and good with children, the teddy bears make a loving addition to any family.
“There are literally hundreds of bears in all shapes and sizes,” said Sylvia. “I have had to take sackfuls of them home with me as we ran out of storage space at the funeral home, but I think my husband is feeling a bit pushed out now,” joked Sylvia.
“They are all clean and in good health, having been washed and hung on the washing line by their ears,” she added.
Sylvia is desperate to find good homes for all these loveable animals.
Charities, hospitals or community groups are welcome to pop along to the funeral home, as long as they plan not to go away empty handed.
Adoption is also available to individuals or families, but a small donation to charity would be appreciated

First printed in: Surrey Hants Star