(Essex Branch)
Another busy summer with 4149 teddies travelling to Zambia, Namibia, Ghana, India, Peru, Kosovo, Romania and Hungary. Again many blankets, jumpers, cardigans, hats, slippers etc went too. Our grand total of Teddies distributed since September 1995 has now grown to 218,633 with more orders in the pipeline.
The Teddies Bazaar was held on 31st May. I felt this year that I couldn't cope with Ploughman's Lunches which was just as well as the kitchen was being decorated! However, we did manage to serve other refreshments. The magnificent sum of £ 1117.70 was raised which was marvellous considering we were only open 2 hours! Many thanks to all who supported this event and, of course, a big thank you to the Committee for the use of the Village Hall. £1000 has been sent to Love Light Romania run by a British couple who set up a Home for Romanian children suffering from AIDS and are building an extension for a Hospice. I have since heard from them that our money paid for flooring, double glazing, fire hydrants and pipework and fittings to take water from the existing house to the new extension. With the balance of the Bazaar money, plus some money in hand, £500 has gone to the Education Fund for the children in the Home in India where I have visited.
At the time of writing this report I am in the midst of preparing Shoe Boxes to go out to needy people in Eastern Europe for Christmas. Blythswood Care distributed over 110,000 gifts last Christmas to children, families and the elderly. This is an excerpt from a letter received `Before Christmas we handed a box to an elderly woman who is destitute. When she realised that she had received a present from people
who did not know her she opened it with tears in her eyes. Someone had thought of her. She was important to somebody." So you see each gift
box counts.
Keep warm and healthy this winter and God bless you all.
Audrey Pegrum - Essex Branch Organiser