Teddies for Tragedies Since the last Magazine a further 4,367 teddies have travelled, or are travelling, to Bulgaria, Thailand, Zambia, Uganda, India, Kosovo, Serbia, Poland, Hungary, Albania and Romania, making a grand total of 223,000 teddies distributed since September 1995. Many new knitted blankets, jumpers, cardigans etc have been packed to go out in a convoy to Kosovo and the surrounding area at the beginning of April together with their order for 1,200 teddies. Dezree and Peter from our Baptist Church took 100 teddies with them when they returned to Thailand in November and I have since heard from them that the Phuket Christian Centre was so pleased with them especially as they were holding a huge Christmas party for about 1,500 children 80 of whom were orphans following the tsunami. Peter was going to be Father Christmas so he would actually be distributing the teddies. Of course they wished that they could have taken more, but they are very limited to how much they can take on the plane. We were able to send over 150 shoe boxes to Blythwood Christmas Shoe Box Appeal. The gifts give so much joy to needy children, families and elderly in Eastern Europe. My thanks go to Downham School, 1st South Benfleet Brownies, 7th New Thundersley Brownies and many individuals for their lovely boxes of love. We also sent £285 towards transport costs. This year the Teddies Bazaar will be held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 30th May from 10am to 12.30pm. This is the Tuesday following the second Bank Holiday in May. There will be many stalls and refreshments. The proceeds will be going to Love Light Romania who help children suffering from AIDS. With money sent last year they have completed the Hospice and are now working on refurbishment of the grounds to the Sanctuary, building a verandah and installing a security wall and a security fence covering the whole garden area. I am planning to visit them later this year so I would be able to see firsthand what they have achieved. I look forward to seeing you at the Bazaar if you can make it - happy buying!! I must finish with a big thank you to my `Teddy Baggers' for all their time given most weeks putting teddies into their individual bags . I know they all enjoy meeting up at Isabel's home.
Enjoy your summer - God bless you all.
Audrey Pegrum
Essex Branch Organiser