A project launched by grandmother Ann Wright from North Shields to knit bears to comfort Ukraine refugee kids has inspired people around the world to contribute.
We reported last month how Ann, 66, had started the heart-warming scheme with daughter Charlotte Crumbley to help children who have been forced to flee their home country because of the war with Russia.
Charlotte has revealed that 30 of them are now on their way to Hungary where they will be distributed to kids arriving at Záhony station as they flee the conflict. And she revealed that they had been contacted by people across the UK and as far afield as the USA for help to set up their own group.
Charlotte said: "We've been contacted by a group in Wiltshire and we're helping them talk to their council. And we've had a request for help from America where another group is being set up.
"The idea is growing and growing day by day. It's absolutely amazing, we never thought it would turn out like this."
The bears sent to Hungary are being distributed by the Teddy Busz organisation founded by David Fricker. He happened to be on holiday in Hungary during the first weekend of the war and saw refugees arriving at Záhony station.
Moved by what he saw, he and four friends set up Bears of Hope sent with love from Children in England to children escaping the Russian invasion of Ukraine as they reach safety at the station.
The bears sent from the North East are part of 168 already created by the craft project. Ann and Charlotte were inspired by the Judith Kerr novel When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, which tells the story of a Jewish family fleeing Berlin and was one of Charlotte’s favourite books as a child.
The bears are knitted using the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag, and are all unique in appearance. Ann and Charlotte set up a Facebook group in March, ‘Hero Bears for Refugee Children’, to encourage others to get knitting their own bears at home.
Knitters and crocheters in areas including Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Seaton Delaval and Blyth quickly got involved.
Newcastle City Council, which has been sent 85 bears, have been working closely with the group to ensure that the bears go to the homes of local people who have come forward to host Ukrainian refugees.
North Tyneside Council, which has received around 25, has also come on board. The rest have gone to together parts of the region as well as some to Scotland.
"We've been very lucky with the people we have worked with," said Charlotte, who revealed Ann had gone off for a well earned holiday this week.
Before she left, Ann told us: “I hope it will show that we are thinking of them, and what they’ve lost. What they’ve gone through - they are all little heroes.”
