(by Laura White, The Moorlander, 3 Jun 2023)
Teddies for Loving Care (TLC) started in the Province of Essex in 2002. It originated after an allergic reaction suddenly caused a swelling and blocking of the windpipe to the wife of Ian Simpson, a Freemason. Her life was saved by the rapid action of the medical staff at an A&E unit, who was able to resuscitate and stabilise her. W Bro and Mrs Simpson were and are both eternally grateful for the swift and caring attention she received but found the experience the most frightening of their lives and speculated on the distress that children must face when visiting A&E units.
The idea of doing something useful for medical staff at A&E units was discussed with other local Freemasons and from that point the idea of ‘Teddies for Loving Care’ was born. The appeal was launched in Essex in 2001, and has since been adopted by most of the Masonic Provinces across the…
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