Teddies For Loving Care Oxfordshire

25/03/2026

Where this wonderful project started

Stay updated with the latest news from Essex Freemasons. Discover stories, events, and updates on our charitable work, community impact, and Masonic activities.

24/03/2026

Growing…

Stay updated with the latest news from Essex Freemasons. Discover stories, events, and updates on our charitable work, community impact, and Masonic activities.

07/12/2025

A magnificent annual event, treating disadvantaged youngsters who would not normally access a pantomime performance. Met and greeted by ‘Dames’ with high fives, glow sticks & sweets. A Santa hat on their seat. Ice cream at interval and a goody bag & TLC bear on exit.

What a lovely idea! ❤

04/12/2025

St. Helen & St. Giles Chapter No. 9133 at Upminster is a small Chapter with a big heart. Yesterday I was invited to join them to talk about TLC Essex after which they presented me with a cheque for £750.

£500 from Lodge is a significant donation for the TLC Essex Appeal which makes a £750 donation from a small Chapter all the more impressive.

Their donation will pay for about 300 Teddies, enough to keep a Children's Emergency Department going for about 6 weeks or a Paediatric Ward for about 3 months!

Thank you brethren!!👏👏





Left to right in the photo:
E.Comp. Richard Davies (ProvAGDC), E.Comp Chas Barrand, E.Comp. George Lambeth (APGP), E.Comp. John Baxter (H), E.Comp. George Clifton (AssScr.E), Me (TLC Chairman), E.Comp. Danny Gearing (DC), Big Ted, E.Comp. Bob Coombe (Treas), E.Comp. Henry Frost (MEZ), E.Comp. Tony Byrne (J), E.Comp. Richard Dawe (IPZ) & Comp. Greg Dimond (PS).

03/11/2025

Congratulations to TLC Yorkshire West Riding on donating their 250,000th Teddy bear! The event was held at Leeds Children’s Hospital and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Teddies for Loving Care in the Province. Yorkshire West Riding Freemasons

Sandra Garbutt, Sister, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the Freemasons for the TLC teddies. We are extremely grateful that we can offer the teddy bears to patients in our hospital. Our message to the Freemasons is to keep up the good work and please keep those bears coming – we love them!”

To find out more, visit:
https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/news/250000th-teddy-bear-distributed-to-children-in-hospitals-across-yorkshire

27/10/2025

27/10/2025

W.Bro Dave Collin was the Master of Victory Marine Lodge No. 6160 meeting at Upminster (Oct 2024 – Oct 2025) and it is clear he and the lodge are passionate about TLC Teddies.

In late 2023 TLC Essex announced a patronage scheme in an effort to rebuild our reserves (which had been depleted by covid). Victory Marine Lodge were among the first to donate and then, together with Abbs Cross and Wykeham Lodges they combined to donate £2,500. Shortly before Bro Dave’s Installation the lodge made another donation and then during his year another donation of £1,000 raised at his ladies night., a further donation of £1,025 raised at a darts night and Bros. Sean Dowling (DC) and Jamie McGrane (IG) ran a half marathon to raise a further £605.

When I attended last week their donations had exceeded £5,000 so I had great pleasure presenting W.Bro Dave and the brethren with a Gold Patron certificate; one of only three lodges in the Province to achieve that level of patronage.

W.Bro Paul Beecham was then being installed in a very capable manner and a number of light blue brethren were invested into the offices and another Candidate was read out under the Risings. Then, at the festive board. the new Master’s brother, Gavin, sang the Master’s Song and W.Bro Dave raffled a 25” TLC Bear to raise yet more funds for TLC Essex. A very enjoyable meeting all -round!

Just to add to the enjoyment it was great to see W.Bro Geoff Turpin, the Lodge APGM, visiting on the night for the first time since he finished his cancer treatment.

A £5,000 donation will pay for over 2,000 TLC Teddies, enough to keep one hospital supplied for about 8 months or every hospital in Essex supplied for a whole month! A fantastic effort by a very strong lodge. Thank you brethren. 😊

In the photo from left to right: Left to right:

W.Bro Jon Turner (Sec), W.Bro Geoff Turpin (APGM), Bro Taylor Allen (Stwd), Me (TLC Chairman), Big Ted, W.Bro Dave Collin (Outgoing Master), Bro Adam Sheargold (IG) and W.Bro Paul Beecham (WM).

19/09/2025

28/08/2025

23/08/2025

Pictured is Brave Freddie who was recently at Darlington Memorial Hospital. Freddie was there to have a Grommets Operation and his mum Lisa told us that he was "over the moon" when he received his Teddy who he has named ‘Wallace.’ Look after Freddie for us Wallace and take care Freddie 🐻
Teddies for Loving Care
Masonic Charitable Foundation
Durham Freemasons Charity
Durham Freemasons