Queensferry Teddies for Tragedies

​It is with great sadness that I announce my retiral as Queensferry Co-ordinator for Teddies for Tragedies. The current situation with Covid restrictions and also new Customs regulations governing what items can get into other countries, particularly Europe, are causing terrible difficulties for charities trying to help those in need, in other countries.

The charities I have been using have been unable to take items since the Covid pandemic hit.

Blythswood Care are able to collect for their Christmas shoe box appeal but have a strict list to be adhered to.

Re-Act who work with Syrian refugees both in the UK and abroad, are unable to take donations from the public as their limited storage is overflowing and covid restrictions make working with volunteers for sorting, difficult.

Hand in Hand for Syria are having difficulties with the Customs laws getting items into the Syria, having to go through the Turkish border who have had said any items not labelled will not be allowed din to the country and will be destroyed.

Any other charities I have contact recently have said they are all in the same position. Most are appealing for money donations.

I have no storage space, and having struggled to find homes for items donated to me since 2019. I have decided the time has come, after 10 years as co-ordinator, to hang up my apron. If anyone wishes to take on this initiative, particularly when things get a little easier, I will be happy to help them get settled.

In my 10 years, I have found homes for over 10,000 teddies and over 10,000 other items such as blankets, hats, scarves and mitts. I feel proud to have been able to do this, and am very grateful to all the lovely volunteers who have knitted and donated, with love. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.