Soroptimist International present Trauma Teddies

In celebration of their centenary, Soroptimist International of Bristol held a teddy bears’ picnic on the Down to celebrate 999 Emergency Services week. 300 of their handmade knitted teddy bears were presented to members of the local emergency services for use as trauma teddies. The President of Soroptimist International of Bristol, Marion Reid, welcomed the Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding and Lord Mayor Jos Clark who each addressed the assembled, socially distanced gathering. Baskets of colourful teddies were given to crews of the air ambulance, shown here, fire and rescue service and the police. Lord-Lieutenant Peaches Golding thanked the Soroptomists who, throughout their 100 year long history, stood at the forefront of social action, leading the way in issues as far-ranging as women’s suffrage to health and well-being. The trauma teddies will provide enormous comfort for children and adults experiencing disasters and great misfortune.