Things are about to get bear-y exciting in schools across Dorset, as the local children’s hospice Julia’s House is inviting teachers and children to take part in the charity’s first Big Teddy Takeover.
Schools are encouraged to host their Big Teddy Takeover during this year’s national Children’s Hospice Week, from 19th to 25th June, with the aim of raising essential funds and awareness for Julia’s House.
The event is kindly being sponsored by the South West-based legal experts, Wansbroughs.
“The idea is simple but lots of fun,” said Julia’s House fundraiser, Amanda Gillett.
“Children and teachers are invited to bring in a cuddly toy and a £1 donation for Julia’s House on a day of their school’s choice in June. And if they’d like to make their Big Teddy Takeover even bigger, they could add onesies and slippers, book and bake sales, teddy bear picnics, teddy-themed lessons and more.”
Julia’s House children’s hospice looks after the most seriously ill children and their families in the charity’s hospice in Corfe Mullen and in families’ homes across Dorset. The charity receives just 8% ongoing government funding and relies almost entirely on donations to provide its lifeline of care.
Children’s Hospice Week aims to raise awareness and funds for palliative care services and children’s hospices like Julia’s House and the families they support.
Amanda said, “The children we care for all have life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. They need specialist, round-the-clock care for these complex conditions and that can be incredibly hard on their families.”
“Our team of nurses and carers don’t just care for the seriously ill child, they also look after the children’s siblings, parents and grandparents too. We help them however we can, whether that’s with clinical care and respite support in the home or hospice, fun weekends away for sisters and brothers, or complementary therapy and practical help for mums and dads.”
Julia’s House first began in Dorset as the dream of paediatric nurse Julia Perks. Now in its 20th year of care, the charity supports around 200 families across both Dorset and Wiltshire.
One of the children cared for by Julia’s House is six-year-old Isabella Chan. Isabella was born with chronic lung disease and needs extra oxygen to help her breathe. She has to carry an oxygen cylinder with her wherever she goes, including on the swing when she’s playing with the charity’s nurses and carers. Isabella loves cuddly toys and one of her favourite teddies is her Fuggler, which sometimes comes with her on her hospice visits.
Sign up to the Julia’s House Big Teddy Takeover at juliashouse.org/event/big-teddy-takeover or email community@juliashouse.org
And if you sign up before 26 May, you will be in with the chance of winning a £100 Amazon Voucher for your school.
