Me&dee delivers ‘bear hugs’ to poorly children

Me&dee has been delivering ‘bear hugs’ to poorly children across the region in the form of surprise gift packs.

The charity, which supports youngsters with health issues and their families, has been giving them a lift in lockdown by supplying them with surprise gift boxes.

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The boxes include a range of goodies, including a teddy with a gift tag message, which reads: “While real hugs are limited, here is a bear to hug”.

Normally, the children would be enjoying special times together at the charity’s Sherwood Forest Hideaway holiday lodge, in Nottinghamshire, which has had to close temporarily due to the pandemic.

In an effort to cheer up the youngsters, 100 of the surprise packs have been made.

So far, 22 families and 49 children have received gifts, which have been distributed for free by volunteers.

Maria Hanson MBE, from me&dee, said: “We wanted to do something special to help families during these difficult times.

“For children facing health issues, living in an uncertain, isolated world can make life even harder.

“Normally, our families, people who are going through a difficult time due to a life-limiting condition suffered by a child or parent, would be enjoying precious moments together at our Sherwood Forest Hideaway.

“But unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the lodge is closed. Once it reopens it’s booked up until the end of the year.

“In the meantime, we felt we had to do something to help families whose holiday with us had been cancelled or delayed.

“We also wanted to support new families recommended to us who we have not had chance to help yet due to the Covid-19 crisis.”