We all enjoyed seeing Paddington visiting the late Queen for afternoon tea, but that’s not where our love of teddies starts and stops.
They can give comfort to so many people in difficult situations such as children when they are in hospital. Now a Woodend resident is doing her utmost to make sure teddy bears which were once adored but are now sitting in an op shop awaiting a new home, are given a chance to be useful again.
Jahne Hope-Williams is collecting teddies to give them another life.
“I am renovating and reusing teddy bears from local op-shops that would otherwise be used in land fill or chopped up for fibre,” Jahne said. “Many bears from overseas are stuffed with dodgy fibres and I have found screws and wires, so the ones I pass on are soft, clean, mended and beautiful.”
Jahne gives them to people in supported accommodation (Windarring), to people in aged care, people recovering from trauma, ambos and others.
“The response to the bears always amazes me. People who are said to be unresponsive, love and care for the bears, rock them in their arms, talk to them, love them. “
Jahne is available to receive bears people would like to donate or for the collection of a restored bear to give to someone who needs it. Some of the bears ready to go to their new homes are pictured.
Contact Jahne by email at yogafirst2@bigpond.com
