Recognition Express NHS Teddy Bear initiative to raise funds for local NHS charities

As personalised teddy bears are one of the most popular gift items, operations director, Chris Masters, thought it was the obvious choice as a way for franchisees to help raise money for NHS charities

The brightly coloured rainbow has become synonymous with gratitude for the NHS and carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years to come, like the war, those who lived through it will share happy memories of the Thursday evening clapping and communities coming together. Rainbow themed products have taken on a new meaning, and Recognition Express has come up with a way for people to combine donating money to NHS charities with sending a cute personalised NHS teddy bear gift.

Hoping to be seen as a treasured memento of a difficult yet special time in life and fully conforming to all safety standards, the mid-brown plush teddy has a multi-coloured rainbow with an NHS logo on his tummy and can be personalised at the point of online order with a name of up to 15 letters. Costing £25 with free UK postage, all profits will go to charity, which means at least £6 from each bear ordered will benefit local NHS charities.

Personalised teddy bears are one of the most popular items ordered for school leavers and graduation gifts, so when operations director Chris Masters was thinking of ways franchisees could help raise money for NHS charities a cuddly toy seemed the obvious choice.

“During the lockdown, families have not been able to meet up to celebrate special occasions or even the birth of a new baby,” said Masters. “Normally we’d be able to pop round with a cuddly toy to say happy birthday or welcome the new arrival, but in these difficult times, people have to find other ways to send gifts. As the UK’s leading promotional product franchise, we’ve built up a network of top-quality suppliers, so it made sense for us to stick with what we know and get this rainbow teddy bear designed especially for us.

“Our franchisees have been active members of their local communities for many years and we want to play our part in fundraising for the amazing NHS. Every penny of profit will go to local NHS charities. There’s nothing in it for us apart from the pleasure of knowing that the recipient of the bear will get a lovely surprise and that we’re helping to raise much-needed money for charity.”