A very thoughtful young man has donated one of his teddy bears to a local charity to use as their new mascot.
Nine-year-old Harvey Tress, who goes to Seaside School in Lancing, donated his bear to local charity, Care for Veterans, where his Mum works as a Healthcare Assistant.
The bear, which has been nicknamed Valiant, is a fitting mascot for the charity as his fur is patterned with Army camouflage, and he comes wearing fatigues and combat boots.
Valiant will attend the charity’s fundraising events and will travel with resident veterans on some of their trips out.
Harvey explained: “My Mum has worked at Care for Veterans for nine years, and I thought it would be the perfect charity to donate the bear to.”
Harvey also very kindly donated some other toys to the charity, to help them raise money for the disabled veterans who live there.
Marketing and PR Officer, Stewart Gillespie, said: “We’re so grateful to Harvey for his kind donations. Valiant will help us raise awareness of the charity with other young people, and the money raised from Harvey’s other donations will go towards the care and rehabilitation of our veterans.”
ENDS
Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 – the charity celebrates its 99th anniversary this year (2018).
Care for Veterans is a registered charity, providing care and rehabilitation for physically disabled ex-Service personnel and their families. Our residents’ needs are complex and many have multiple disabilities. Many have an Acquired Brain Injury and some have neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. Others are paralysed or do not have use of their limbs and some are terminally ill. We support on average 140 residents a year.
We care for up to 60 residents at any one time.
Our residents are aged between 32 and 99.
Our residents represent the tri-services: Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Services at Care for Veterans include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, an active social and recreation department, rehabilitation kitchen, a chaplaincy service, counselling, IT facilities, a rehabilitation garden, sensory room, coffee shop and function room and regular outings on our specially adapted coach.
With no regular government funding, Care for Veterans must raise over £1.9 million each year to maintain its nursing and rehabilitation services for ex-Servicemen and women.
Care for Veterans
Gifford House, Boundary Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 4LJ
Telephone 01903 218444
www.careforveterans.org.uk
fundraising@careforveterans.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1072334