A lost TLC bear is replaced after an appeal to a national website
Whilst 5 year old Henry from Northamptonshire was visiting his grandfather, David, in Wheddon Cross, a couple of years ago, he was unfortunate enough to find himself in the Minor Injury Unit at Minehead Hospital after he had sustained a burn to his face. His bravery for coping with this trauma was rewarded when he was presented with a green TLC teddy bear, which he named Lemonade.
Lemonade quickly became Henry’s favourite soft toy from which he was inseparable but unfortunately, on a recent return visit to Somerset, the bear disappeared during a game of hide the teddy bear. Somehow, Lemonade was hidden and has never been found. It is still a mystery!
David quickly contacted me via the TLC National Website asking if he could buy a replacement bear. I reassured him that we are always happy to provide our bears and no payment was necessary.
David said that he intended not to mention that this was a new bear and hoped to convince Henry that the bear had been found. However, there was one snag – last year a new design of TLC Teddy was brought into use, sporting a heart shaped nose, so the deception would not have worked.
Putting his “thinking cap on” Roger Penny, the Somerset TLC coordinator contacted his area representative, Chris Beckett, who found a spare old style green bear and delivered it to David.
David said “It was quite amazing. I really can’t find the words to express our gratitude, it is all so special and very kind. I searched the internet on a Saturday night, contacted TLC and within 5 days we had a replacement teddy. Henry was so pleased ‘my favourite bear is back’ he said.”