Every homeless child in city B&Bs to get teddy bear after 1,000 donated to BrumWish campaign

Every child in a city B&B this Christmas is to receive a cuddly teddy bear after freemasons from across the region donated 1,000 to the #BrumWish appeal.

Worcestershire and Warwickshire Provincial Grand Lodges wanted to do something special after learning of the appeal - and the TLC (Teddies for Loving Care) bears will be a perfect addition to the BrumWish Christmas stockings. BirminghamLive launched the #BrumWish campaign to buy gifts for more than 1,000 children who will be homeless on Christmas Day - including those in Women's Aid refuges.

Freemason and city MP Gary Sambrook alerted us to the BirminghamLive appeal and urged us to back their campaign - and there could yet be more good news on the way.

"I knew the appeal would resonate with our members and I was delighted they agreed," said Gary, MP for Northfield.

Robert Vaughan, Provincial Grand Master for Worcestershire, said: "The Freemasons of Worcestershire are very much aware that many children in Birmingham will be facing the festive season in difficult circumstances.

"We are delighted to join with our Warwickshire neighbours in supporting the BrumWish Campaign by providing 1,000 teddy bears to help to brighten each child’s day."

Philip Hall, Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire, added that the organisation was proud to support the Christmas BrumWish campaign, providing gifts for some of the area's most vulnerable children."

Supporting people experiencing homelessness is one of the themes for Warwickshire's charitable giving in 2020," he said.

"The Teddies for Loving Care bears are regularly given to children in our local hospitals, providing comfort and reassurance to children who are ill or in distress.