The Teddies for Tragedies movement


Teddies for Tragedies is not a registered charity, it has no central organisation, no rules, regulations, or subscription fees. It is just a knitting (and crochet) pattern. Most British teddies go to Africa, eastern Europe and Asia, though not exclusively.

How it began In 1986 a washable knitted teddy was added to a consignment of medicines going to a refugee camp in the Sudan. The doctors replied "These teddies do more good than the medicines. They cheer the children up, give them hope, and soon they are on the road to recovery" Teddy knitting began, a bag was added, increasing play value and In 1991, Teddies for Tragedies began in Guildford Surrey and there are now many branches throughout the country. Branches collect, check and pack teddies. They find locally supported, aid groups and charities, working with children in tragic circumstances, who would appreciate the gift of teddies for their children. Thanks to Pauleen West and a very old teddy pattern.

The Queen Honours Teddies for Tragedies Audrey Pegrum who runs the Essex branch was award and MBE in 2007, not exclusively for distributing Teddies, but teddies are the most important in bringing smiles to children.

The Website
When in December 2004 the Asian Tsunami occurred, I remembered responding to an appeal to knit teddies in the late 1990's. Searching the internet, I could only find a website in Canada. As a teddy knitter who could write websites, Teddies for Tragedies(UK) had my name on it and this website was launched.
The aim was and continues to be, to help coordinate teddy production and delivery. Putting knitters in touch with local needs and charities in touch with local supplies plus finding more people who'll take teddies to needy children.

How can you help?
By knitting teddies, yes but...
BE ALERT FOR OPORTUNITIES TO GET TEDDIES TO CHILDREN
Finding teddies is much easier then finding ways to take them to needy children.

If you can help his way, email for hints on how to find teddy homes local to you.

The teddy movement has spread abroad

Australia Canada Germany Spain France Italy Malaysia Finland USA
If you live outside the UK you may find somewhere nearer you here.
Please help make this list more comprehensive.
Canada Teddy knitting was taken to Canada by Gisele Toth, who gave Teddies for Tragedies it's first internet presence. There are now 3 websites that celebrate teddy production and delivery. Celebrating the arrival of teddies in Canada; find some big pictures of teddy faces here Grace organises the collection and distribution of teddies in Ottawa and posts super pictures on the website Teddies have gone to  Haiti,  Congo,  Uganda,   Uruguay,  Nicaragua,
  Teddies Canada Grace Amirault New Brunswick
 
USA Califorian Teddies
Californian Teddies
Australia Run by the Australian Red Cross and called Trauma Teddies and the pattern isn't exactly the same but the philosophy is
Europe Teddies are knitted in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, although most end up in the UK for distribution.
South East Asia There is one knitter in Malaysia who supplied extra teddies to a school group.



Please don't send unsolicited teddies to charities. They may not have storage facilities and there is a limit to how many a charity can cope with at any one time.

29th July 2009 Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional