YOUNG children who are battling illnesses which leaves them hospitalised have received a bundle of new cuddly teddies thanks to generous fundraisers.

Donated to Wexham Park Hospital, the Beaconsfield Freemasons funded the latest shipment of teddy bears, which cost £200.

Nurses will distribute the teddies to the sick children in a bid to ‘sooth their fear as they battle illness in a foreign environment’.

Freemason scheme co-ordinator, Mel Shah, said: “Freemasonry is all about friendship, integrity and charity, so the Teddies for Loving Care scheme – TLC – is close to our hearts.”

Two million soft toys have been distributed out nationally over the last dozen years, and there appears to be no let-up in demand.

Mr Shah (centre) is pictured with the head of Beaconsfield and Bucks Freemasons, Gordon Robertson, handing over the latest shipment of teddy bears to hospital sister Lauren Austin.

For more information about the Freemasons, please visit www.buckspgl.org.