A national children’s charity has teamed up with police to help distressed children who have experienced major trauma.
The Teddies for Trauma scheme, the brainchild of Children 1st, means youngsters will be given a cuddly bear.
So far over 180 knitted and crocheted teddy bears have been donated to Fraserburgh police by the public after they released the pattern a month ago.
The idea is thought to have started in Australia where firefighters gifted bears to children after fleeing bush fires to comfort them after losing their homes and belongings.
Chris Lewis, assistant director for the charity’s north branch, said: ”We were working alongside the police after they asked if we would partner with them and it has been hugely successful.
“We put together a starter pack and since then it’s gathered a lot of momentum.
“The community are happy to get behind this as it’s something concrete.
“It matches with our charity work as we support families with children who have faced trauma over the last 130 years and we really felt this went with our strategy going forward.
“There’s such a lack of support but a real momentum to help children who have suffered trauma and these teddies are such a comfort.”
The event held yesterday to launch the scheme was attended by the bears that are all shapes, sizes and colours despite being from the same pattern.
It’s due to different techniques used by individuals to create the toys.
Sergeant Claire Smith said: “The first few weeks after releasing the pattern there was nothing but now we get between 10 and 20 a day.
“We were aiming to have 50 but now have more than 180.
“There’s no definitive situation in which a child will be given a teddy – it’s at the officer’s discretion as each child and every situation is different.
“It’s hoped the teddies will help deflect the situation and help provide a bit of relief for the child.
“I can’t thank the community enough, I appreciate it even more since the weather has been nice and knitting is generally a winter hobby.
“When I come in and see them I have a big smile on my face as the community effort has just been brilliant – we’ve even had ones sent from Newcastle.”
